The ground loop
Buried tubing that exchanges heat with the earth. It can run in vertical bores, angled bores or horizontal trenches, depending on land, soil & the building's load. The loop design is set after the site assessment, not before.
Geothermal · New installation
Geothermal heating & cooling installation in Kansas City.
GeothermalKC provides geothermal heating & cooling installation in Kansas City & across the region from Topeka to Sedalia. A geothermal heat pump, also called a ground source heat pump, moves heat between a building & the ground instead of burning fuel or fighting the outdoor air. The loop field & the equipment are designed together.
What a new installation involves
Every geothermal system has the same three parts. What changes from project to project is how the ground loop is laid out on the site.
The heat pump
Indoor equipment that concentrates heat from the loop for heating in winter & sends heat back into the ground for cooling in summer.
Distribution & controls
Ductwork, radiant tubing or both, plus thermostats & controls. In a new building these are designed with the system; in an existing one they have to be checked.
Common ground loop layouts
The loop layout is set after the site assessment. These drawings show the three common approaches; the right one depends on land area, soil, access & the building’s load. Where bores are needed, they are drilled with a drilling partner.
Vertical bores
Loops run straight down in a small footprint. Suited to sites with limited open ground.
Angled bores from one pit
Several loops fan out at an angle from a single small excavation, keeping surface disturbance low.
Horizontal trenches
Loops laid in shallow trenches across open ground. Suited to acreage & new construction with room to dig.
How ground source heating & cooling works
A few feet below the surface, the ground stays at a much steadier temperature than the air. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that at around 30 feet down it stays roughly between 50 °F & 59 °F year round.
In winter the system draws heat from that ground & concentrates it for the building. In summer it runs the other way, moving heat out of the building & into the ground. The same equipment does both jobs.
Direct exchange (DX) & water loop systems
Most ground source systems pump water or an antifreeze solution through plastic pipe in the ground, then pass that heat to the heat pump through a heat exchanger.
A direct exchange (DX) system circulates the refrigerant itself through copper tubing in the ground, so the ground connects directly to the heat pump without a separate water loop.
New GeothermalKC installations use direct exchange. Existing water loop systems are evaluated through the replacement & retrofit process.
Each approach has its own requirements for soil conditions, loop layout, equipment & service, & the assessment explains them for each site.
What shapes a geothermal design
These are assessed before a system is recommended. Some can rule a design out; most just shape it.
- Land & access
- Room for bores or trenches, & a way for drilling or excavation equipment to reach that area.
- Soil, rock & water
- Ground conditions affect how the loop is installed & how much of it is needed.
- What's already underground
- Utilities, septic systems, wells, irrigation & tree roots all shape where a loop can go.
- The building's load
- Size, insulation, windows & use determine how much heating & cooling the system must deliver.
- Distribution
- Existing or planned ductwork, radiant floors or zoning, & whether they suit a geothermal heat pump.
- Electrical service
- The panel & service need capacity for the heat pump & any backup heat.
- Timing & permits
- In new construction, loop work is easiest before landscaping & driveways. Local permit & inspection rules apply.
Indicative project stages
Every project is different; this is the usual order.
Consultation request
Project details arrive. GeothermalKC reviews the scope, location & timing.
Consultation agreement
GeothermalKC explains the consultation agreement & schedules a time.
Site & building evaluation
The ground, access, building & existing systems are evaluated.
Design & proposal
Loop layout, equipment & scope, with a written price.
Loop installation
Drilling or trenching, loop placement, backfill & site cleanup.
Indoor equipment
Heat pump, connections, distribution work & controls.
Commissioning & walkthrough
Start up, checks & an explanation of how to run the system.
Where new geothermal often makes sense
New home on acreage
Open ground & early planning give the most freedom in loop layout, & the loop can go in before final grading.
Site preparation for new buildingsNew shop, office or farm building
Commercial & agricultural buildings where the owner wants steady heating & cooling & plans to keep the building long term.
Commercial geothermalMajor renovation or addition
When ductwork & heating equipment are being replaced anyway, it's the natural time to evaluate geothermal.
Barndominium or shop
Slab on grade buildings on acreage suit a horizontal loop, with radiant slab heat & the shop zone planned before the pour.
Geothermal for barndominiumsBuildings that already have geothermal, & existing buildings without it, are covered on the replacement & retrofit page.
Questions about geothermal installation
Does geothermal work through a Kansas winter?
Yes, ground source heat pumps are used in cold climates. Ground temperature a few feet down stays far steadier than air temperature, & the system is sized for the building's heating load. Some systems include supplemental heat for the coldest days; that's part of the design.
What is geothermal HVAC?
Geothermal HVAC, a geothermal heat pump & a ground source heat pump all describe the same kind of system: heating & cooling that exchanges heat with the ground through a buried loop, with the heat pump & controls inside the building.
Does a geothermal system need an outdoor unit?
No. The ground loop takes the place of the outdoor condenser a conventional air conditioner or air source heat pump uses, so nothing sits beside the house once the loop is buried. The heat pump goes indoors, usually in a basement, utility room or mechanical room.
How much land do I need?
It depends on the building's load, the ground & the loop type. Vertical or angled bores need much less surface area than horizontal trenches. The area needed is set during the site assessment.
What will it cost, & what will I save?
Both depend on the building, the site & the equipment chosen, so GeothermalKC does not publish prices. The geothermal savings calculator gives a rough yearly estimate from state average energy prices, & a written proposal follows the consultation. Past energy bills help show current costs.
What affects the cost of a geothermal installation?
The building’s heating & cooling load, the loop type & length, soil & rock, access for trenching or drilling equipment, the ductwork or radiant work inside, the electrical service & local permits. Each is checked at the site evaluation before a written price is given.
Is there still a federal tax credit for geothermal?
Not for homes. The IRS says the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Commercial buildings fall under a separate federal investment credit, covered on the commercial geothermal page. GeothermalKC does not give tax advice; current incentives are best confirmed with a tax professional & the program directly.
What are the stages of a geothermal installation?
A site & building evaluation, a design & written proposal, the loop installation outside, the heat pump & controls inside, then start up & a walkthrough of how to run the system. The schedule for each stage is set in the proposal.
How does a geothermal project start?
With a consultation request that includes the location, building type & timing. GeothermalKC reviews the project & follows up about the consultation agreement & next steps.
Project consultations
Request a Consultation
New geothermal installations for homes & commercial buildings. Consultation requests with the location, building type, timing & any plans are the quickest to schedule.