Resources

What is the federal geothermal ITC tax credit? The federal geothermal tax credit is an opportunity for homeowners who install a geothermal heat pump system to claim 30% of the amount that they spent from […]

What is a water-to-water heat pump? Water-to-water heat pumps transfer the underground heat energy from hot water or steam to indoor hot water or steam. This hot water or steam is then distributed within homes […]

What is a water-to-air heat pump? Water-to-air heat pumps transfer the underground heat energy from hot water to the indoor air distributed through a building’s ductwork. When a hotter material comes into contact with a […]

What is a refrigerant? Refrigerants are substances that help to transfer heat from one place to another by contracting and expanding repeatedly. When compressed, refrigerants become very hot and release heat to their surroundings; when […]

What is NYSERDA? NYSERDA is a public-benefit corporation of the New York state government that promotes renewable energy and reduced energy consumption for New York. NYSERDA collaborates with businesses, universities, public interest groups, nonprofits, and […]

What is Manual J? Manual J Load is a measurement of your heating and cooling needs to determine what HVAC equipment is most appropriate for your home. Your HVAC contractor should calculate Manual J for […]

What is the IGSHPA? The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) is an international nonprofit organization that promotes education, research, and adoption of ground source heat pump technology around the world. Its membership includes […]

What is a heat pump? Heat naturally wants to move from hot environment to a cold environment. A heat pump is a device that can move heat opposite the direction it naturally wants to move […]

What is a heat exchanger? A heat exchanger is exactly what it sounds like: a device that facilitates the exchange of heat between two gases or liquids of different temperatures. When a hotter material comes […]

What is a ground-source heat pump? A ground-source heat pump (GSHP), also known as a geothermal heat pump, is a renewable and more efficient alternative to the traditional furnace, boiler, or AC unit. A geothermal […]

What is geothermal energy? The prefix “geo” comes from the Greek word meaning “earth”, and the suffix “thermal” comes from the Greek word meaning “heat”. Put together, geothermal energy is simply any energy that is […]

What is EER? Energy Efficiency Ratio, or EER, is a measure of efficiency for HVAC systems based on their cooling output. Every system requires some form of energy input to run the system, but not […]

What is COP? Coefficient of Performance, or COP, is a measure of efficiency for HVAC systems based on their heating output. Every system requires some form of energy input to run the system, but not […]

What is direct exchange geothermal? DX geothermal is a type of closed loop, ground source heat pump system. To capture the ground’s heat, DX systems circulate refrigerant through copper tubing installed in the ground. How […]

What is HDPE? High-density polyethylene is a versatile plastic valued for being both lightweight, strong, inexpensive, and easy to recycle. Today, it’s the world’s most widely used type of plastic. Why is HDPE so popular? […]

What is AUX heat? AUX Heat refers to a heat pump’s back-up heat source, typically electrical resistance. It activates automatically when the demand for heat is highest, providing supplementary heat to keep your home comfortable. […]

What is a geothermal ground loop? A ground loop is a series of plastic pipes buried or submerged at a depth at which temperatures stay consistent year-round. It serves as the critical link that allows […]

What is a variable-stage heat pump? A variable-stage heat pump utilizes a variable, or modulating, compressor. It can vary its levels of intensity incrementally. While single-stage heat pumps have 1 speed (full blast) and two-stage […]

What is a two-stage heat pump? A two-stage heat pump, also called a dual-stage heat pump, utilizes a two-stage compressor. It has 2 levels of intensity – high (100%) and low (typically 70%). The heat […]

What’s a single-stage heat pump? A single-stage heat pump utilizes a single-stage compressor. It only has one setting — full blast. Once your desired temperature is reached, the unit will switch off. In other words, […]

What is a pond / lake ground loop? A pond / lake ground loop is a series of plastic pipes filled with heat-transfer fluid and submerged in a nearby pond or lake with adequate size, […]

What is a closed loop geothermal system? A closed loop geothermal system continuously circulates a mixture of water and non-toxic antifreeze through buried or submerged plastic pipes. These underground pipes connect to an indoor heat […]