Heat pump or geothermal wells use geothermal resources, such as naturally occurring underground reservoirs of hot water, geologic material or the stable temperature of the subsurface, to heat and cool residential homes and commercial buildings. Heat pumps cool buildings by absorbing excess heat when surface temperatures are warm in the summer, and act as a heat source when surface temperatures are cool in the winter.
Advances in technology are making it easier for consumers and businesses to better understand how they are using and saving energy. Geothermal energy is a renewable resource that is underutilized. Leveraging data and innovation are ways to promote a clean energy economy in America. The State Geothermal Data project, organized by the Association of American State Geologists with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, is bringing data from all 50 states into one system, in order to identify and characterize geothermal energy resources across the nation. Find data and maps online in the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS).
How do geothermal heat pump systems work?
- About Geothermal - International Ground Source Heat Pump Association
- Well Types - Geothermal Heat Pumps
Note: Open-loop geothermal heat pump systems are not allowed to drain onto another property unless applicable permits are obtained through the department's Water Pollution Control Branch.
Financial Assistance
Consumer energy tax incentives provide financial relief by offering savings for upgrades like solar panels, heat pumps and insulation. For a list of state and federal geothermal incentives and rebates, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE). Additional programs provided through the department's Division of Energy are available on the department's Energy Financial Assistance Opportunities webpage.