Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we get asked most about geothermal in Chicago. Don't see yours? Contact us and we'll answer it.
How Geothermal Works
Does one system handle both heating and cooling?
Yes. A single geothermal heat pump provides both heating and cooling — it simply reverses the direction it moves heat. There's no separate furnace and air conditioner to buy, maintain, or replace.
Does geothermal work in Chicago's cold winters?
Yes — better than most systems. A few feet down, the earth stays around 55°F year-round, even below zero outside. Geothermal draws from that stable ground, not frigid air, avoiding the deep-cold capacity drop-off air-source heat pumps suffer on the coldest Chicago nights. We cover most of your heating load, with auxiliary heat for the coldest stretches — called on far less than with air-source.
How long does a geothermal system last?
The buried ground loop is engineered for a 50-to-100-year design life; the indoor heat pump runs 20 to 25 years — far longer than a typical furnace or rooftop unit. At replacement the loop stays in the ground, so it costs far less than the original installation.
Is the equipment noisy? Where does it go?
It's quiet. There's no loud outdoor condenser — the heat pump sits indoors (typically a basement, utility room, or mechanical closet) and runs at a low hum, which is one reason geothermal works well for offices, retail, and close neighbors.
What maintenance does geothermal need?
Very little. Routine care is mainly changing air filters and an occasional system check. With no combustion and no exposed outdoor unit, there are fewer parts to wear out than in a conventional system.
How does fresh-air ventilation work with a geothermal system?
Tight, efficient homes need controlled fresh air, so we often pair geothermal with an energy-recovery ventilator (an ERV) that brings in fresh air while exhausting stale air — keeping indoor air healthy without wasting the energy your geothermal system worked to produce.
Cost, Savings, And Incentives
How much does a geothermal system cost to install in Chicago?
Installed cost depends on building size, loop design, and site conditions, so it varies — which is why we give a free, site-specific quote. Net cost matters more: utility rebates, Geothermal Renewable Energy Credits (GRECs), and available tax incentives cut the up-front price, and lower energy bills pay it back for the system's life.
Is geothermal worth it in Chicago's climate?
Yes — arguably more so here than in milder climates. Because the ground stays around 55°F year-round, a geothermal system keeps performing efficiently through Chicago's coldest stretches, when air-source heat pumps and conventional systems struggle most. You get efficient heating in January and efficient cooling in July from one system.
What rebates and incentives are available in Illinois?
Qualifying systems in ComEd territory can tap several programs: a ComEd geothermal rebate, with the amount depending on system capacity and whether the project is residential or commercial; renewable energy credit programs for qualifying geothermal systems; and ComEd's favorable all-electric Space Heating rate. Additional state and utility incentives may apply. Incentives change and eligibility depends on your project — we'll tell you what yours qualifies for.
How much can I save on my energy bills?
Savings depend on what you're replacing and how you use your building — buildings moving off electric-resistance or propane heat see the largest reductions. Some of our clients see up to a 70% reduction in their heating and cooling costs. We'll give a realistic, system-specific estimate during your free assessment.
What is a GREC?
A GREC is a Geothermal Renewable Energy Credit — earned by qualifying geothermal systems based on the energy they save. Which credit programs apply depends on your system and situation. We'll tell you what you're likely to qualify for, and help you apply once installation is complete.
Does geothermal increase my home's value?
It can. Geothermal is a permanent, high-efficiency upgrade with very low operating costs and a long service life, and efficient all-electric homes appeal to buyers. Published studies of energy-efficient home sales suggest it can add as much as $15,000 to $30,000 in resale value, though the actual effect depends on your home and market. You also capture value monthly in lower energy bills while you own the home.
Will It Work At My Property?
Will a geothermal system fit my lot?
Very likely — even on a tight city lot. Our compact drilling is built for narrow Chicago properties (sites as small as about 25 feet wide) and reaches back and side yards through standard access. A quick site evaluation tells us for certain.
Can I retrofit geothermal into my existing home?
Yes — most of our residential work isn't new construction. Geothermal fits an existing home wherever there's room for the ground loop, and our compact drilling is built for tight city and suburban lots. We can often use existing ductwork; if not, we'll design what's needed. Best timing is when your furnace or AC is near end of life, since you'd replace it anyway. We'll evaluate your home and lot.
Does geothermal work for new construction and net-zero homes?
An ideal match. In new construction we design the system in from the start, sizing the loop field and ductwork to the home's exact heat load — and efficient, all-electric geothermal is often the heating-and-cooling backbone of a net-zero home paired with solar. We recently installed a 3-ton system in a net-zero new build in Oak Park, with energy-recovery ventilation across a two-zone, three-floor design.
How long does installation take?
It depends on the size and complexity of the system. Exterior work — the drilling and the ground loop — usually takes two to four weeks. The heat pump installation itself can be completed in a few days. We'll give you a project schedule before we start.
How Geothermal Compares
Geothermal vs. an air-source heat pump — which is better for Chicago?
Both move heat instead of burning fuel. Air-source pulls it from outdoor air, so capacity and efficiency fall when it's coldest and it leans on electric backup heat. Geothermal (ground-source) draws from the earth's steady 55°F year-round, heating efficiently through the coldest Chicago nights; we size for most of your heating load, with auxiliary heat for extremes, called on far less. Air-source installs cheaper; geothermal costs more up front for the ground loop but runs more efficiently, costs less to operate in our climate, and lasts longer. For a home you'll keep, geothermal wins on lifetime cost and winter comfort here.
Geothermal vs. a gas furnace — which is better?
A gas furnace burns fuel; geothermal moves heat already in the ground, far more efficiently. It can deliver up to six times more heating energy than the electricity it uses; a furnace can never exceed the energy in the gas it burns, and an air-source heat pump typically manages two to three times here. Geothermal also cools in summer (a furnace only heats), removes combustion and gas lines, and runs quietly with little maintenance. A furnace installs cheaper; geothermal costs more up front but typically costs less to run, replaces both furnace and AC, lasts much longer, and moves you toward all-electric.
Geothermal vs. traditional central air conditioning?
A central AC only cools; geothermal heats and cools with one unit, so there's no separate furnace and AC to buy, maintain, and eventually replace. Geothermal cooling is also more efficient and much quieter — no loud outdoor condenser, because heat moves into the ground instead of hot summer air. Replacing an aging furnace and AC? Geothermal replaces both at once.
Environment And Electrification
Is geothermal good for the environment?
Yes. Moving heat rather than burning fuel, geothermal uses far less energy than a combustion system, and it's all-electric — no on-site emissions, and it gets cleaner as the grid adds renewable power. Replacing a gas furnace with geothermal meaningfully lowers a building's energy use and carbon footprint.
How does geothermal fit an all-electric or electrification goal?
Geothermal is one of the most effective ways to take heating and cooling off fossil fuels. Running entirely on electricity, it does the job of both a furnace and an air conditioner, eliminating natural gas for HVAC — a major step toward an all-electric home or building, and a natural pairing with solar and battery storage.
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