Wisconsin Geothermal Association

There are state incentives available through Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program or your local utility. See the Focus on Energy website for their incentives. 

Federal incentives are available in the form of tax credits. They are available for both residential and commercial systems.

The commercial tax credit is for 10% of the cost of a system, with no maximum. More information on this tax credit can be found at the following link: Corporate Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Geothermal systems cost more than conventional systems due to the cost of installing the ground loop (or pond loop). However, the life-cycle cost of a geothermal system is competitive with conventional systems due to energy savings over the life of the system. For more specific costs, consult a WGA member in your area.

• Get started by visiting the How to Choose a Pro page
• Find a few geothermal professionals in your area to contact
• Consider using this choosing a contractor checklist (PDF) to evaluate which contractor would be best for your project.

The U.S. Department of Energy explains:
‘The heating efficiency of ground-source and water-source heat pumps is indicated by their coefficient of performance (COP), which is the ratio of heat provided in Btu per Btu of energy input. Their cooling efficiency is indicated by the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), which is the ratio of the heat removed (in Btu per hour) to the electricity required (in watts) to run the unit. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label, which indicates a heating COP of 3.3 or greater and an EER of 14.1 or greater.’

These ENERGY STAR® efficiencies compare favorably to a COP of 1.0 for resistance heaters and an EER of 10.0-11.0 for central air conditioners.

Geothermal systems generally pay for themselves in 7-12 years through savings in energy cost.

All members of the WGA must pay a yearly fee, accept and agree to the Code of Ethics and meet the characteristics described below.

* Must also have proof of liabilty insurance.