This is a simple question, I think.   We have a ClimateMaster Tranquility 27 running with a closed-horizontal loop that was installed the fall of 2009.  The system has run well winter and summer (northwestern Indiana) with only a few problems (blown run capacitor [warrantied] and clogged condensate drain) and currently is operating nicely.  However, I recently noticed that the ground loop pumps run constantly even if the heat pump isn't running; that is, the thermostat system is not calling for cooling.   I called the company that installed the system (which has changed hands recently) and the "climate consultant" I spoke with told me that it was normal for the pumps to run all the time.  Can this be right?  It certainly could be that this always has been the case and I just wasn't sensitive to it.  Thanks.

No right. It should only come on when the heatpump is running. Otherwise you are wasting a lot of energy.

Thanks - so I thought. I guess another call is in order.  Or better, is there something I can check myself.  There must be a relay or something controlling the pumps that is tied to the compressor.

My guess is that the loop pump is on the incoming voltage side of the contactor, not the compressor side, or closed position side of the contactor. Easy check and fix if you are electrically inclined. Warning! contactor sees full voltage and amperage, shut down breaker prior to service.
Eric

Your Climatemaster model has a loop pump power block (PB-1) for connecting pump. The power does originate from the load side of the contactor but has a 7A breaker for overcurrent protection appropriate for most pumps. Do NOT connect directly to the compressor contactor.

If you have more than one HP unit sharing the loop pump, you should have a controlling relay that will turn pump off when all units are off.

ClimateMaster Loop Pump doc here (page 9)-
http://www.climatemaster.com/geothermal-dealer/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Flow-Controller-3-IOM.pdf

Is it normal, well it is not uncommon, but yes it is wasteful.

Thanks to all for the input. Joe - when you say 'not uncommon' are you suggesting that some systems are intentionally installed this way? I wish I remembered if the constant running has always been the case or if this is something that started recently. There are fairly long (several week) periods around here (spring/fall in northwest Indiana) when I have all the zone controllers turned off, and it just doesn't make sense to me that the pumps would still keep running. I have to throw the system breakers to get them to stop. I put in a call do a different dealer who is listed by Climatemaster as "GeoElite" to get another opinion. Interestingly (to me) the dealer who did the original installation is not listed by Climatemaster (though I don't really know that is significant).

Listing by Climatemaster is impacted by a variety of things wouldn't read too much into it (only two geo elite dealers in MI). Likely your pumps always ran.
Not uncommon means two things. Lots of installers do not optimize their systems. Some systems are constant circ for a reason i.e. a 16 ton system I have with a variable speed pump that ramps up or down based on demand.

Thanks again, Joe. Our system is 5 ton and the pumps are constant speed. Barry

One more note - after reading all the above, I took a closer look at the control module. There are two terminal blocks, labeled T1 and T2, to each of which there is one wire attached. It appears as if the wires come from the box that has the two 7A circuit breakers. These look to be for the HWG which is not being used in our system. I gather from the circuit diagram that if the loop pumps also were being controlled they too would be attached to these terminal blocks. Of course, like an idiot, I didn't turn the power off before poking around and ended up 'smoking' something - no idea what - though it appears to have thrown one of the two breakers which I now cannot reset. The system still seems to be working normally and there are no errors on the control board so who knows what damage I did. When will I ever learn?? Anyway, thanks again for all the help.

And you sir are the next winner of the Darwin award. Snark intended.
Eric

I hope I live long enough to accept it! :-)

I am sure you will. I was a" fork in the socket kind of kid" myself.
Eric

Yikes

Yeah, Joe. What do they say about "a little knowledge?" There was a free floating (by which I mean it isn't screwed down) plastic block with wires attached to it sitting the the lower compartment to the left of the control board. The block (I found out later) has a 4A circuit breaker built into ti. When I tried to move the block to get a closer look at the T1 and T2 terminals, one of the metal tabs (for screws presumably) at the base of the plastic block must have shorted on the terminals; it arced and one of the 7A breakers was thrown. I shut down power to the system (as I should have done in the first place) repositioned the plastic block so it can't contact the control board, reset the breaker, and powered up. Everything seems to be working fine. I have no idea what the floating plastic block does. I'm just going to call myself lucky at this point. Barry

Sounds like your 24v transformer. Glad your ok.

Thanks - I'm fine. Hope nothing bad was done to the system. What runs off 24V, I wonder? Would I know it if I blew out the transformer? Barry

Yes the transformer runs all the controls. System would not work if you harmed it.

Whew! Thanks, Joe. I really appreciate it. Barry

It might be easier and safer to trace the wires from the loop pump. If pump is running 24/7, it might not even be wired to the heatpump.