According the U.S. Department of Energy, ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems in schools reduce energy use by 25% to 50% compared to traditional systems and result in typical payback periods of two to eight years. However, the U.S. General Accounting Office states that the use of GSHP systems is limited, in part, because users are unfamiliar with the technology.

This article is a cursory review of various considerations to help guide design professionals when proposing these systems to school boards, parents, and others.