The Geothermal Exchange Organization is working with the Colorado Geo Energy & Heat Pump Association to conduct market research that will identify the essential framework elements of the standard. Results from this survey will provide a better understanding of the consumer confidence issue so that the standard is as effective as possible in assuring high quality GHP installations.

Three subcontracts have been awarded to perform research and provide detail support of the development of the geothermal heat pump (GHP) national certification standard.

• Colorado Geo Energy & Heat Pump Association: Market Research on Personnel Certification Standards. This effort will develop a conceptual foundation for the Standard from market research that identifies the characteristics of standards that increase customer confidence and result in predictable performance of designated professionals.

• National Ground Water Association: Update of State Regulations Governing Geothermal Heat Pump Systems. NGWA will generate a current inventory of regulations applied to design and installation of GHP systems, in order to provide insight into regulatory requirements that are appropriate for inclusion in the Standard.

• Meline Engineering Corporation: Development of Job Descriptions of Personnel Involved in GHP Systems. This team will draft job descriptions that identify and describe qualifications for each trade involved in GHP system design and installation.

All three subcontracts are scheduled for completion in May, and results of each subcontract will be incorporated into the prototype Standard currently under development. The prototype will be made available to a wide variety of stakeholders, including GHP customers, government regulators, designers, installers, heat pump and auxiliary equipment manufacturers, utilities and professional and trade organizations, in order to create collaborative consensus around the structure and content of the final Standard.

We need everyone’s help!  In order for this standard to make a difference, it needs to reflect the real-world circumstances that result in the design and installation of reliable and high-performance geothermal heating and cooling systems. Your participation and input is essential so we need you to:

• Review the materials posted on this website
• Register to make comments and participate in the Forum
• Subscribe to our periodic email updates
• Download draft proposals and distribute them to others for more feedback
• Email this website link to anyone else who may have additional suggestions
• Contact Us with things we need to know (Registered Users Only)
• Participate in upcoming consumer and industry stakeholder surveys
• Provide feedback on National Certification Standard prototypes
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We’ll update this website regularly to keep you informed of our progress, so check back frequently!

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