Our Process
How Geothermal Installation Works
From initial site assessment to final commissioning, our streamlined process ensures your geothermal project is completed on time, on budget, and to the highest professional standards.
What Is Geothermal Energy?
Geothermal heating and cooling — also called GeoExchange — uses the constant temperature of the earth to heat and cool buildings. In Massachusetts, the ground temperature stays at approximately 55°F year-round, just a few feet below the surface.
A geothermal system circulates fluid through underground pipes called ground loops. In winter, the fluid absorbs heat from the warmer ground and brings it inside. In summer, the process reverses — excess heat from your building is rejected into the cooler ground. A heat pump inside the building concentrates this energy to provide comfortable temperatures year-round.
Because the system moves heat rather than generating it through combustion, geothermal achieves 300–500% efficiency (COP 3–5) — meaning for every unit of electricity consumed, 3 to 5 units of heating or cooling energy are delivered.
System Types
Choosing the Right Geothermal System
🔩 Standing Column Wells
Open-loop systems that circulate natural groundwater through a deep drilled well. Water is drawn from the bottom, passed through the heat pump, and returned to the top of the well.
- ✓ Preferred in New England — ideal for our bedrock geology
- ✓ Typically requires fewer wells than closed-loop
- ✓ Higher efficiency due to direct groundwater contact
- ✓ Can also serve as a domestic water supply
🔄 Closed Loop Systems
Sealed HDPE piping installed in vertical boreholes. A water-antifreeze solution circulates through the closed loop, exchanging heat with the surrounding earth without contacting groundwater.
- ✓ No groundwater contact — suitable for all soil types
- ✓ Leak-proof HDPE fusion connections
- ✓ Ideal for sites with limited groundwater
- ✓ 50+ year HDPE pipe lifespan
Step by Step
Our Five-Step Installation Process
Site Assessment
We evaluate your property geology, lot layout, existing HVAC, and heating/cooling requirements. This includes reviewing soil conditions, available drilling space, utility connections, and local permitting requirements.
- ✓ Property survey and geological evaluation
- ✓ Heating/cooling load calculation
- ✓ Well placement planning
- ✓ Permitting requirements review
System Design
Our engineers collaborate with your HVAC designer to create a custom borefield layout and system specification perfectly matched to your building load and site conditions.
- ✓ Custom borefield layout
- ✓ Equipment selection and sizing
- ✓ Mechanical integration plan
- ✓ Detailed cost estimate with incentive analysis
Drilling & Installation
Our licensed drilling crews mobilize to your site with compact, modern drill rigs. We drill vertical boreholes to the engineered depth and install ground loop piping using certified HDPE fusion techniques.
- ✓ Vertical borehole drilling (150–500+ ft)
- ✓ HDPE ground loop pipe installation
- ✓ Certified fusion welding connections
- ✓ Minimal site disruption
Connection & Grouting
We connect the ground loop to your indoor heat pump system, grout all boreholes with thermally-enhanced grout, and install manifold connections for multi-well configurations.
- ✓ Thermally-enhanced grout installation
- ✓ Manifold system installation
- ✓ Heat pump connection
- ✓ Wellhead finishing
Testing & Commissioning
Comprehensive pressure testing, flow balancing, and system verification ensure optimal performance from day one. We walk you through system operation and provide documentation.
- ✓ Pressure integrity testing
- ✓ Flow rate balancing
- ✓ System performance verification
- ✓ Owner training and documentation
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule your free site assessment today. We'll evaluate your property and provide a detailed estimate.