DOE Report Highlights Pathways to Expand Geothermal Heating and Cooling Nationwide

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Geothermal Heating and Cooling report focused on expanding geothermal heating and cooling.

Geothermal heating and cooling technologies are powerful yet often overlooked tools for creating a stronger, more efficient energy system and cutting emissions from buildings. This report shows how we can grow the U.S. geothermal industry and make it easier for people to access reliable, affordable, local heating and cooling solutions.

Key findings from the Geothermal Heating and Cooling Liftoff report include: 

• Geothermal heating and cooling can lower electricity use during busy times, make energy systems more reliable, and help reduce energy bills.
• To expand clean and domestic geothermal heating and cooling, the focus is to increase geothermal installation in new buildings by 2035 and then accelerate installations in older buildings.
• By 2035, there’s a chance for geothermal heating and cooling systems to be in the equivalent of 7 million homes—tripling the current U.S. capacity. This could mean $100–150 billion in investments.
• Federal tax credits, energy savings, and utility rebates can help offset the higher upfront cost of geothermal heating and cooling systems for single buildings compared to other options.

Learn more about geothermal energy, including geothermal heat pumps (GHPs), through DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Office.