LEARNING HUB

Geothermal Learning Hub

Beginner-friendly guides to geothermal heat pumps — from first questions to confident decisions. No jargon, no sales pitch.

35+Learning Guides

4Learning Modules

$0Free & Independent

12Key Terms Defined

8FAQs Answered

YOUR CURRICULUM

Four Modules, Zero Jargon

Start at Module 1 or jump to what’s most relevant. Each module builds on the last.

Module 1

Geothermal Basics

What geothermal energy is, how the ground stays warm year-round, and why it’s different from solar or wind power.

Module 2

Costs & Savings

How to compare complete proposals, model ownership scenarios, and verify incentives before counting them.

Module 3

Is It Right for Me?

Property requirements, climate considerations, soil types, and red flags that make geothermal a poor fit.

Module 4

The Installation Process

What to expect from site survey to commissioning — timeline, permits, disruption, and red flags when hiring.

QUICK REFERENCE

12 Key Terms, Plain English

The terms you’ll encounter most — defined without the textbook.

Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP): A heating and cooling system that moves heat to and from the ground rather than generating it by burning fuel.

Ground Loop: Buried pipes filled with a water-glycol solution that circulate heat between your home and the earth below the frost line.

COP (Coefficient of Performance): Efficiency ratio: a COP of 4 means 4 units of heat delivered for every 1 unit of electricity consumed.

EER / EER2: Cooling-efficiency ratings measured under defined test conditions. Compare the exact model and rating condition used in a proposal.

Closed-Loop System: Ground loops where the same fluid circulates indefinitely, never contacting groundwater. The most common residential type.

Open-Loop System: Uses actual groundwater (a well) as the heat source/sink. Often more efficient but requires adequate water availability.

Manual J: ACCA’s load calculation standard. A properly sized geo system must be based on a full Manual J — not a rule of thumb.

IGSHPA: International Ground Source Heat Pump Association. Certifies installers and sets the standards for design and installation.

Vertical Loop: Ground loops installed in drilled bores. Depth, quantity, spacing, grout, and testing must come from the project design and local ground conditions.

Horizontal Loop: Ground loops installed in trenches. Layout and land needs depend on the building load, soil, pipe arrangement, site constraints, and design temperatures.

Loop Field: The area of land (or water body) where ground loops are installed. Size depends on heating load and local soil conductivity.

Desuperheater: An optional heat exchanger that can transfer available compressor heat to domestic water. Contribution varies with equipment, operation, climate, and hot-water use.

Check the evidence before comparing installers:

Cost Estimator ROI Calculator Incentive Finder Find Installers

COMMON QUESTIONS

What Homeowners Ask First

How does a geothermal heat pump actually work?

A ground-source heat pump moves heat between the building and a designed ground loop or groundwater system. Exact performance depends on the building load, selected equipment, ground design, pumps, controls, and operating conditions. Read the source-checked explainer →

How much does it cost to install geothermal?

There is no safe national price for one property. Compare complete local proposals that use the same calculated loads, ground design, indoor work, permits, restoration, testing, and warranties. Use the complete-cost method →

Is geothermal worth it in 2026?

It depends on the complete installed premium, actual energy use and rates, exact equipment performance, financing, approved incentives, maintenance, and ownership period. Model several documented scenarios instead of accepting a promised payback. Build a scenario →

Do I need a lot of land for geothermal?

The usable area depends on the building load, ground conditions, setbacks, utilities, access, loop configuration, and local rules. A qualified designer must document the layout; lot size alone cannot select the loop.

How long does geothermal equipment last?

Service life varies by equipment, installation, water or loop conditions, maintenance, duty, and repairs. Use the exact manufacturer warranty and maintenance documents rather than a universal lifespan claim.

Can geothermal replace my existing furnace and AC?

Sometimes. The answer depends on the calculated heating and cooling loads, distribution system, electrical capacity, ventilation, hot-water scope, backup strategy, and selected equipment performance.

What’s the difference between geothermal and an air source heat pump?

Both move heat, but they use different heat sources and system designs. Compare exact equipment performance at local conditions, complete installation scope, backup needs, and modeled annual energy rather than a universal savings percentage. Use the full comparison →

How do I find a qualified geothermal installer?

Verify current licenses, insurance, relevant training, comparable projects, permits, calculated loads, equipment selection, ground design, testing, commissioning, warranties, and closeout records. Search the directory →

Guide

Geothermal Heat Pumps in Cold Climates

```html Geothermal Heat Pumps in Cold Climates If you live in Minnesota, Maine, Montana, or anywhere else that endures brutal winters, you may have written...