A geothermal heat pump takes advantage of the earth’s constant temperature to provide highly efficient heating and cooling. In the winter, fluid circulating in underground pipes carries the earth’s heat to your home, where it is concentrated to provide heating. In the summer, the process is reversed and heat from your home is carried back to the earth through the pipes to provide cooling.

A few feet below the earth’s surface, the ground temperature remains fairly stable through the year, ranging from 45 degrees in the North to 70 degrees in the South. Ground temperatures, like those in a cave, are warmer than the air above in the winter and cooler than the air in the summer. A geothermal heat pump taps these conditions, carrying energy through a series of fluid-filled copper or plastic pipes installed underground. This allows the geothermal heat pump to provide space heating and cooling. Some systems can also heat water.

According to studies, ENERGY STAR^®-certified geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy costs by 20 to 70 percent. Approximately 70 percent of the energy used in a geothermal heat pump system is renewable energy from the ground. The systems use a small amount of electricity to operate the heat pump, ground loop pump and distribution fan or pump.

A geothermal heat pump is a reliable, low-maintenance and environmentally friendly heating and cooling choice. It operates safely and quietly, with no combustion, direct emissions or exposed outdoor equipment, such as a fuel tank.   Because it is mechanically simple and all exterior equipment is below ground, protected from the weather, maintenance costs are often lower than other heating and cooling systems.

How We Help

We make it affordable to install a geothermal heat pump system with rebates of $500 to $1,500 provided by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund for qualifying systems.

Heat and cool your home from the ground up. It’s a down-to-earth, smart energy choice.

Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for more information.

• A closed loop circulates fluid through an underground field. The loop is enclosed in vertical and/or horizontal trenches.
• Single or multiple pumps, fans and compressors provide heating and cooling.
• A distribution system, typically ductwork, carries air throughout the home to maintain an even temperature.

Step 1 -

If you haven’t invested in making your home energy efficient, now is the time. To be eligible for a geothermal heat pump incentive, homes must meet energy efficiency standards. Learn how to upgrade your home with help from the Home Energy Solutions program.

Step 2 -

Complete a pre-qualification application – as accurately as possible – and submit it to your utility administrator. If you project is for an existing home, a Home Energy Solutions contractor must complete the application. To learn more and find applications and pre-approval requirements, click the link to your utility’s website below

Eversource     UI

Step 3 -

When your application is approved, your utility will send you a stamped Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund Residential Geothermal Performance Incentive Final Application.

Step 4 -

Choose a geothermal contractor for your installation. Although you are free to use any geothermal contractor, feel free to choose a contractor from our list. Find a geothermal contractor.

Step 5 -

After the system is operational, the geothermal contractor must prepare a Verification of Installed Performance report (VIP). Submit this report, along with a completed Geothermal Performance Incentive Final Application For Existing Homes, to your utility administrator. See your utility’s website for details and other required documentation.

Eversource     UI

Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for more information. 

Eversource and UI residential electric service customers are eligible for incentives for the installation of a geothermal closed loop or direct expansion, packaged or matched coil/split* including water to water-designed types up to six tons per unit.

Geothermal equipment must be a closed loop or direct expansion type and ENERGY STAR^®-certified (existing homes for 2012 Tier 3 requirements) in order to be eligible for a rebate.

• Field testing must be done under appropriate test conditions
• AHRI/ISO/ASHRAE Standard 13256-1 closed loop systems
• AHRI/ISO/ASHRAE Standard 870 for DX systems

A list of ENERGY STAR-certified geothermal equipment can be found on the ENERGY STAR website.

The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund rebate for qualifying units is $500 per nominal AHRI-rated cooling ton for successfully commissioned geothermal systems (existing homes to a maximum six-ton unit).The rebate is paid in ½ ton increments capped at $1,500 per dwelling unit.

Eligibility applications must be stamped by your UI or Eversource program administrator.

Be aware of the time limitations of the rebate offers!

*Multiple sections and fans must be AHRI matched.

If you are a Connecticut resident and are not served by one of the utilities listed above, please visit your municipal utility’s website to see what programs are available to you. 

Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for more information.