Heat, Cool and Save: An Advanced Guide to Support School District and Project Teams to Maximize Energy Tax Credits for Ground-Source Heat Pumps
Schools are leveraging federal energy tax credits to build healthy, safe, and resilient learning environments with ground-source heat pumps. To help more districts take advantage of the opportunity, we’re excited to share a new resource: Ground-Source Heat Pumps in Schools: A Guide to Maximizing Energy Tax Credits.
Designed for school districts and project teams already exploring ground-source heat pump projects, the guide outlines how to maximize energy tax credits with key strategies, tips, and resources from the planning stage to the filing process.
What’s in the guide:
An overview of how school districts can modernize HVAC systems using ground-source heat pumps and access energy tax credits through Elective Pay
A breakdown of how reimbursement amounts may be influenced by key provisions, including Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements, Domestic Content, and Energy Communities
Practical guidance on the Elective Pay filing process, including examples and school district spotlights
This isn’t for beginners. It’s for communities and projects teams already familiar with the benefits of ground-source heat pumps and ready to understand how they can maximize available tax incentives for their projects.
This guide may benefit:
School district leaders pursuing ground-source pump projects
Project teams working with schoolsduring planning, design, procurement, or construction discussions where tax credit eligibility may be relevant
For those who are still learning about HVAC systems or don't have a specific ground-source heat pump project, we’ve got lots of other resources to explore.
New to heat pumps?
HVAC Choices for Student Health and Learning introduces the core principles of cost-effective, modern HVAC solutions like ground-source heat pumps for healthy indoor environments and improved student outcomes. Check out the Report, read the Research Brief, or watch a webinar covering the Big Ideas and Takeaways.
New to energy tax credits for ground-source heat pumps?
The Energy Tax Credits for Schools Hub provides resources and tools to support school districts to make the most of the opportunity to modernize with ground-source heat pumps and earn energy tax credits. Visit the Hub to find a one-pager on the opportunity, resources, office hours, and tips to support the Elective Pay filing process, and more.
The Schools and Elective Pay Database tracks K-12 clean energy projects eligible for Elective Pay. We are currently tracking over 200 ground-source heat pump projects in 138 school districts across more than 30 states.
Explore dozens of examples of school districts that have already received direct cash reimbursements through Elective Pay for ground-source heat pump projects:
