Thomas stressed that geothermal performs best during extreme weather, when utilities are struggling to meet peak demand. Unlike air-source heat pumps, geothermal systems do not rely on electric resistance backup heat, which he said “spikes the demand for the electric utility without question.” He noted that “for every 1,000 homes [with geothermal], the grid benefit is a peak demand reduction of 10 MW,” a benefit utilities increasingly recognize. He also highlighted geothermal’s economic impact, calling it “the most abundant, ubiquitous, stable form of thermal energy that exists.” 

On affordability, Thomas tied geothermal’s value directly to rising electricity costs and future utility pricing structures, rather than upfront system cost alone. He said electric utility rates have already risen about 25% nationally over the past two years, and warned that costs are likely to continue climbing as the grid faces a projected 100 to 150 GW power shortfall over the next 15-20 years. As a result, he expects time-of-use rates, already common for industrial customers, to become more widespread in the residential sector.

That focus on long-term operating costs was also reflected in the products WaterFurnace showcased at the booth. Commercial products were highlighted, including the company’s new TruClimate 900 heat pump chiller, which features a variable-speed compressor with OptiHeat technology. Unlike traditional chillers that are either dedicated to heating or cooling, the TruClimate 900 delivers 44°F chilled water and 140°F hot water simultaneously from a single chiller — saving money and freeing up square footage in or on a building.

WaterFurnace also showcased the Versatec 700 indoor DOAS water-source heat pump as a solution to improve indoor air quality and much more. The company says the new Versatec 700 efficiently conditions the air and simultaneously transfers energy from conditioned air to what’s being brought in — resulting in tremendous energy savings. It’s available to order in 2,000 to 8,000 CFM configurations.