August 4, 2026
The Advantages of Combining Geothermal Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) with Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems
By Maddy Dolby
Geothermal GSHPs utilize the temperature of the ground (typically 50 ºF to 60 ºF year-round) as a heat source in the winter and a heat sink in the summer. Through an open-loop or closed-loop design, this underground system circulates water or a water/antifreeze mixture to exchange heat with the earth. The heat pump transfers heat through the loop, either removing heat from the water or adding heat to it, before the conditioned water is circulated throughout the building.
In a radiant heating and cooling system, the heated or cooled water from the geothermal heat pump circulates through embedded tubing in floors, walls, or ceilings. For heating, the warm water radiates heat into the room while for cooling, the cooler water absorbs heat from the space.
There are energy advantages when combining these two systems for indoor climate, or even outdoor snow melting or turf conditioning systems. Geothermal systems achieve COPs (Coefficient of Performance) of 3 to 5 or higher, making them significantly more efficient than a conventional HVAC system.
These integrated systems can also help lower greenhouse gas emissions, are long-lasting, and require little maintenance. Radiant heating and cooling systems use corrosion-resistant PEX piping, which is durable, sustainable, and lasts for decades.
Growing tax incentives are also driving the adoption of these systems in commercial construction. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, Section 48 Investment Tax Credit allows for up to 50% tax credit of the system cost basis. Additionally, the 17D Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction provides a tax deduction of up to $5.81 per square foot for building owners who construct new property or renovate existing energy-efficient buildings using geothermal solutions.
There are other benefits as well, including low operating costs, space optimization due to minimal duct work, and thermal comfort that closely aligns with the ideal heating curve for the human body. Plus, for heat specifically, the system provides instant comfort when in the floor instead of wasted energy in the ceiling.
To dive deeper into these technologies, check out this Radiant Comfort Report article, or visit the Commercial Radiant Heating and Cooling page on uponor.com.