Heat Pumps, Geothermal for Consumers

A new ENERGY STAR specification for geothermal heat pumps went into effect on December 1, 2009. The new specification allows water-to-water GHPs to immediately be eligible to qualify for the label. On average, ENERGY STAR qualified products covered under this new specification will be over 45 percent more energy efficient than standard options.

• Anticipating advances in technology in the coming years, EPA has set more stringent efficiency requirements to ensure that ENERGY STAR continues to represent top performers in this category.
• New requirements for water-to-air and direct geoexchange GHP models will take effect on January 1, 2011. Even more stringent levels will go into effect for water-to-water and water-to-air models on January 1, 2012.
• As of December 1, 2009 homeowners who install geothermal heat pumps with the ENERGY STAR are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit. Learn more.

On average, ENERGY STAR qualified products covered under this new specification will be over 45 percent more energy efficient than standard options. ENERGY STAR qualified models are more efficient than models that simply meet the federal minimum standard for energy efficiency.

Geothermal Heat Pumps Key Product Criteria: ENERGY STAR

Learn How a Product Earns the Label

What else should I look for when buying a geothermal heat pump?

• Though these products can be more expensive to purchase up front, the cost difference will be paid back over time through lower energy bills.
• When buying new equipment, sizing and installation are as important as product quality.

These are the top FAQs related to Heat Pumps, Geothermal and the ENERGY STAR program.