Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) represent a groundbreaking technology that leverages the earth’s thermal properties, combined with electricity, to provide efficient space conditioning and water heating. As the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) points out, GSHPs can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40% compared to traditional HVAC systems, marking them as a significant player in the quest for sustainable energy solutions.
The energy consumption profile in the United States highlights the critical role of building-related energy use. According to the Department of Energy, activities such as lighting, space conditioning, and water heating account for 40% of primary energy use in the country. This is a substantial figure, surpassing the energy consumption in the transportation sector and nearly equaling that of the industrial sector. Notably, 40% of the energy used in buildings is dedicated to heating, air conditioning, and water heating.
A study by the Rockefeller Foundation and DB Climate Change Advisors underscores the potential benefits of upgrading energy-consuming equipment in buildings. They suggest that such initiatives could lead to over $1 trillion in energy savings over a decade, equating to a reduction of about 30% of the annual electricity use in the US.
A 2006 report by the National Research Energy Laboratories (NREL) estimated that over one million geothermal heat pump systems were in operation nationwide. That number has since grown to approximately 2 million, though it still represents less than 2% of all heating and air-conditioning units in the United States. Despite their modest footprint, these systems have significantly impacted energy conservation and environmental protection. They save over 31 million barrels of crude oil annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 9 million tons, the equivalent of removing 2 million cars from the road or planting 748 million trees.
One major hurdle to the broader adoption of GSHPs is the initial cost, primarily due to the installation of the geothermal loop heat exchanger (GLHE), which constitutes over 70% of the system’s total cost. Addressing this barrier involves a novel approach: having the GLHE owned by a third party, such as a utility company. This arrangement transforms the GLHE into a “rate recoverable” asset, providing utilities with multiple benefits. These include permanent demand reduction (ranging from 0.55kW to 0.88kW per ton of installed GHE) and the ability to earn Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) under state mandates like those in Maryland and New Hampshire.
Expanding the use of GSHPs by 30% could yield remarkable benefits: a reduction of 175 billion kWh per year in fossil fuel savings, over 477 million barrels of crude oil saved annually, and a significant reduction in electric demand by over 36,564 MW per year. Additionally, GHPs could harness 306,771.96 MWh per year from the ground, reduce more than 35 million metric tons of carbon and over 130 million metric tons of CO2 annually (equivalent to removing 29 million cars or planting 8.5 billion trees per year), and create or retain 5 million jobs, along with numerous other economic benefits.
Ground source heat pump systems for heating and cooling and possibly water heating represent a renewable technology that not only reduces emissions and lowers energy costs but also supports a stronger, more resilient electric grid and well paying jobs in the renewable space.. By promoting this technology, especially in educational institutions like PreK to 12 schools, we can pave the way for a sustainable future.