How do ground source (geothermal) heat pumps work?

Geothermal heat pumps extract heat from the ground during cold weather via an underground pipe system, which is then distributed throughout your building. During warmer months, the process is reversed to provide cooling. This system is the most efficient type of heat pump and can provide 100 percent of your building’s heating and cooling needs with no backup system.

What is the difference between a geothermal heat pump and an air source heat pump?

Air source heat pumps gather heat from the ambient air, while geothermal heat pumps extract it from the ground. Geothermal heat pumps often act as whole-building systems—and do all of the heating and cooling in your building.

Compared to air source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps are more efficient and use a ground heat exchanger instead of outdoor units (condensers).

Are geothermal heat pumps effective in cold climates?

Yes, ground source heat pumps work well to keep your staff and tenants warm and comfortable, through even the harshest New York winters.

How much money can I save with a geothermal heat pump?

Most building owners see a substantial drop in heating fuel bills and a moderate increase in electric bills (because heat pumps require electricity to run)—leading to an overall reduction in monthly energy bills. Depending on the type of fuel your old heating system used, the size of your building and your heating needs, the overall savings could total in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your system.

How long do geothermal heat pumps last?

Geothermal heat pumps last significantly longer than conventional equipment. They typically last 20-25 years. In contrast, conventional furnaces and boilers generally last between 15 and 20 years.

How much maintenance is required for a ground source heat pump?

Geothermal heat pumps require minimal maintenance. In addition to changing the air filters on a yearly basis, we recommend having a qualified firm perform a basic inspection of the heat pumps and loop field once a year.

Can I use a geothermal system for hot water?

Yes, a geothermal system can also provide water heating in your building

How do I know if a geothermal system is right for my building?

Geothermal systems are typically best suited for properties with sufficient land area available to accommodate the loop field. The best way to start to learn if a geothermal system is right for your building is to get a no-cost screening available through NYSERDA. Most large buildings will also benefit from a cost-shared FlexTech study to gather investment grade information of a ground source heat pump system at their specific site.

Does this tool cover Westchester County only or the whole state? Are there plans to expand it?

The tool currently covers Westchester County only. There is a similar tool available for New York City. If Westchester GeoPossibilities is successful, NYSERDA will consider expanding it to the rest of the state. Please send us your feedback at cleanheattargeting@nyserda.ny.gov for assistance.

Why does this tool give a different estimate of geothermal energy savings than the geothermal company that gave me a proposal?

Geothermal savings depend on many factors, such as the available surface area at the site and the cost to drill. This tool uses simplifying assumptions (such as the cost of energy a building uses based on its size and function) to develop a preliminary estimate of the cost to install a geothermal system. GeoPossibilities also presents the cost above what a conventional fossil fuel system would cost. If you got a proposal from a contractor, they likely showed you the full cost.

What data sources does the GeoPossibilities tool use?

For property data, GeoPossibilities utilizes New York State Tax Parcel data combined with Westchester County GIS Base Map Planimetric Data and Bing for Building Perimeters. The basemap is provided by Esri. All energy and cost inputs and calculations were developed by Goldman Copeland and implemented by Over Morgen.

How does the calculation behind this tool work?

The data presented on the results page takes into account building size, parcel size, and relevant physical building characteristics (i.e. building type, year built) to calculate feasibility and potential savings. Initial feasibility is determined by the available area on a given parcel compared to the number of geothermal boreholes required to meet the estimated energy demand of each building. Financial and return on investment calculations are determined by comparing the estimated cost to replace a standard heating/cooling system with a geothermal system, including the size, capital cost, and operating cost of a geothermal system, further analyzed by the estimated savings over time from the implementation of a geothermal system compared to a standard system. For more detailed information regarding these analyses, see the Methodology Specification document.

Still have more questions, or having trouble using the tool? Email us at cleanheattargeting@nyserda.ny.gov for assistance.