Introduction to Geothermal Heating and Cooling
An apartment building just off the boardwalk in Coney Island boasts a heated outdoor pool, a cozy library and a sunny penthouse lounge with sweeping views of the ocean and the Verazzano Narrows Bridge. But the most remarkable element is hidden below the ground: 153 wells, dug deeper than the Statue of Liberty is tall. It’s part of a highly efficient, eco-friendly geothermal heat pump system that taps into the earth to warm and cool the new building’s 463 apartments.
How Geothermal Systems Work
These systems — also known as ground source heat pumps — run on electricity and take advantage of the temperature of the earth, which hovers between 50 to 60 degrees year round. In the winter, the system extracts heat from the earth to warm the building (and its pool), and in the summer, the system sends indoor heat back into the ground to cool apartments and other spaces. The heat is conveyed through liquid carried by pipes.
Benefits and Challenges of Geothermal Systems
Though installing geothermal heat pumps can be more expensive up front and challenging to drill into the ground — especially in dense New York City, with its small lots — the technology is gaining popularity. Promoted via financial incentives and technical support to install the systems — including through the federal Inflation Reduction Act, state programs, and utility companies — and local laws focused on slashing planet-warming emissions by moving buildings away from fossil fuels, geothermal heating in New York City may be about to have its moment.
Experts’ Insights
“It’s an inflection point. It’s becoming much more common,” said Kevin McDonald, principal building systems engineer at Steven Winter Associates, who advises affordable housing developments. “If you’re looking for simple, resilient, long-term solutions for electrification, this is it.”
Geothermal Systems in New York City
1515 Surf is the largest in the city to use geothermal energy for heat, March 4, 2025. Credit: Alex Krales/THE CITY Several projects that rely on geothermal heat are in the works or recently completed in all five boroughs of New York City, including at Brooklyn College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan and P.S. 62 in Staten Island. Efforts are ongoing to install geothermal systems at NYCHA’s Eastchester Gardens and Jackson Houses in The Bronx to provide hot water for over 1,700 apartments across 17 buildings.
‘It’s a Cheat Code’
Ground source heat pumps differ from air source heat pumps, which use the outside air, instead of the earth, to cool or warm a home. “It’s a cheat code, in a way, to hack bedrock temperature in your favor,” said Jonathan Hernández, the director of geoscience at Brightcore Energy. Between 2020 and 2022, Con Ed installed and provided incentives for 183 ground source heat pumps, plus an additional 198 in 2023 and 150 in 2024, according to the utility company.
A common area at 1515 Surf in Coney Island, with an ocean view. Credit: Alex Krales/THE CITY Not every building is a good candidate for ground source heat pumps, depending on the location and size of the property and whether there’s, say, a train line or water tunnel close by. But, Hernandez noted, the technology is evolving. And the state is changing its rules to allow for deeper drilling, which could make it easier for smaller lots to pursue geothermal.
Laws and Regulations
Part of the movement toward the technology stems from stricter laws meant to move away from fossil fuels and improve air quality. A gas ban in newly constructed buildings means that those under seven stories have had to be all-electric since 2024, and those seven stories and taller will need to be starting in July 2027. Plus Local Law 97, which sets limits on how much carbon large buildings can spew, has pushed some owners to more seriously consider geothermal.
Cost and Efficiency
Constructing geothermal systems tends to be more expensive than a conventional, gas-powered HVAC system — about 3% more, in the case of 1515 Surf in Coney Island — and can add construction time to the schedule. But operating and maintaining the system is cheaper and simpler than for a boiler, experts said. Anthony Tortora, senior vice president and principal of LCOR, which developed 1515 Surf, estimated the geothermal system would cut the building’s carbon emissions by 60% compared to gas boilers, and could save tenants between $120 to $450 on electric bills each year.
Future Developments
One of those tenants, Aidana Bekbatyr, moved into a one-bedroom apartment in the fall with her partner and seven-month-old baby. Bekbatyr, 27, said the family’s most recent electric bill was $142. A development in Greenpoint slated for completion next year, 1 Java Street, will be about twice the size of 1515 Surf, with 834 apartments across two towers, and 320 bore holes drilled into the earth for the ground source heat pumps. A planned residential building in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, shown here in a rendering, will use a geothermal system for heating and cooling. Credit: Renderings via The Boundary The geothermal system was about 6% more expensive to construct, but will use a third less energy than a typical all-electric building, according to Brooke Nicholson, senior development operations manager and vice president of LendLease, the developer.
Conclusion
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are becoming increasingly popular in New York City, thanks to their efficiency, sustainability, and potential to reduce carbon emissions. While they may be more expensive to install, they offer long-term savings and a simpler maintenance process. As the city continues to move away from fossil fuels and towards more eco-friendly solutions, geothermal systems are likely to play a major role in the future of building development.
FAQs
- What is a geothermal heat pump system?
A geothermal heat pump system is a highly efficient, eco-friendly system that taps into the earth to warm and cool buildings. - How do geothermal systems work?
Geothermal systems run on electricity and take advantage of the temperature of the earth, which hovers between 50 to 60 degrees year round. In the winter, the system extracts heat from the earth to warm the building, and in the summer, the system sends indoor heat back into the ground to cool apartments and other spaces. - What are the benefits of geothermal systems?
Geothermal systems offer several benefits, including reduced carbon emissions, lower energy consumption, and simpler maintenance. They can also save tenants money on their electric bills. - Are geothermal systems expensive to install?
Yes, geothermal systems can be more expensive to install than conventional HVAC systems. However, they offer long-term savings and a simpler maintenance process. - Are geothermal systems suitable for all buildings?
No, not every building is a good candidate for geothermal systems, depending on the location and size of the property and whether there’s, say, a train line or water tunnel close by. However, the technology is evolving, and the state is changing its rules to allow for deeper drilling, which could make it easier for smaller lots to pursue geothermal.
