Community Geothermal Planning Grant Project

The current study project area is a section of Oak Park bordered by Washington, Austin, Madison, and Harvey. 

 

A geothermal system uses the stable temperature of the earth to heat and cool your home. Instead of creating heat by burning fuel, it transfers heat between your home and the ground through a buried piping loop.

A community geothermal system connects multiple homes and buildings to a shared underground piping network. Rather than each property installing its own ground loop, participants share the geothermal infrastructure and use individual heat pumps to efficiently heat and cool their spaces. 

Want more information? Watch these videos:

Gas to Geo Transition

HEET Networking Thermal Energy  

If you live in or own a building within the study footprint and would like to remain updated on the project progress and provide input, please fill out this form. 

• Who is the IFA/What is the Illinois Climate Bank? (VOP) The Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) is a state agency that helps fund projects that benefit Illinois communities. Through the Illinois Climate Bank, the IFA provides financing and investment support for clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate resilience projects, helping make sustainable upgrades more affordable for residents, businesses, and local governments.
• Who are the partners on this grant? Oak Park Residents Corporation was awarded this grant and is working with partners including the Village of Oak Park, Slipstream, Architectural Consulting Engineers, Terra Engineering, and Oak Park Apartments.
• How was the project footprint chosen? The project footprint was chosen based on a variety of criteria including mix of building types, household characteristics, interest of property owners, and proximity to Village infrastructure.
• What is the project timeline? The feasibility study has a 12-month project timeline. This provides the Village and its partners with approximately one year to evaluate the technical, financial, and operational feasibility of a community geothermal system, with the study expected to be completed by late spring of 2027.
• When will the geothermal loop be installed? The geothermal system is currently in the planning phase. Once the plan is complete we will know more about the feasibility, cost, technology, and ownership structures which are available. The Illinois Finance Authority will be opening a new round of funding for implementation and the project team intends to pursue that opportunity. This feasibility study does not guarantee implementation.
• How much will it cost to build the geothermal loop? The specifics of cost will depend on many factors including the final loop design, technology used, and ownership or financing structures chosen. We will have more information on cost estimates later in the study.

The Village is serving as a project partner and facilitator for the feasibility study. The Village is helping coordinate stakeholders and provide guidance on the use of public rights of way and infrastructure. The Village's participation ensures that the project aligns with the community’s goals and commitments.

This project supports the goals identified in the Village’s Climate Ready Oak Park plan, Village Board goals, and the Village’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions by 60% by 2030. The Village can also help assess opportunities to use public infrastructure such as streets and alleys as part of the geothermal design.

How are Village funds being used to support this project? This project is funded by a grant from the Illinois Finance Authority. The Oak Park Residents Corporation is the recipient of the grant. The Village is supporting the project with limited staff time and the use of Village channels of communication. 

• How will occupants of the neighborhood benefit from this project? The Community Geothermal System is being designed so that any building within the footprint will have the option to connect to the system. Whether a property connects or not will be voluntary and the decision of the property owner. Connection to the Community Geothermal System will require an upgrade to the participant’s HVAC systems. Geothermal systems are more efficient and less costly to operate, potentially lowering the cost of heating and cooling for participants.

• Do I have to participate in the project? No, participation is completely optional. Currently the project team is looking for input from residents within the footprint to inform the feasibility study. If, in the future, the project should be implemented, there is no obligation for individual properties to connect to the system. 

• What is a geothermal heating and cooling system? A geothermal (ground-source) heat pump, or GSHP, system uses the stable temperature of the earth to heat and cool your home. Instead of creating heat by burning fuel, it transfers heat between your home and the ground through a buried piping loop.
• How does a geothermal system work? In winter, the system extracts heat from the ground and transfers it into your home. In summer, it removes heat from your home and transfers it into the ground. The process is similar to a refrigerator operating in reverse.
• What is the benefit of a geothermal heat pump system, also called a ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system? Because GSHPs exchange energy with the earth below our feet using the stable deep-earth ground temperatures, the systems are highly efficient and are considered to be one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool a building.  This efficiency of operation means significantly lower energy consumption, which translates into lower energy bills.
• How much does geothermal save on energy bills? Many homeowners experience 30%–70% lower heating costs and 20%–50% lower cooling costs compared to conventional systems. Actual savings depend on utility rates, home insulation, and system design.
• Can geothermal be installed in an existing home? Yes. Many existing homes can be retrofitted with geothermal systems, often using existing ductwork or hydronic distribution systems.
• Does geothermal work in very cold climates? Yes. The ground temperature remains relatively stable throughout the year, allowing geothermal systems to perform efficiently even during extremely cold weather.
• Where has this been done before?
  • Examples of properties in Oak Park with Geothermal Systems:
    • Unity Temple
    • Pleasant Home
    • Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center
    • Carroll Center
    • Oak Park River Forest History Museum
    • Cheney Mansion (installation in progress)
    • OPRF High School
  • Examples of communities with District Geothermal Systems
    • Boise, ID: Boise has one of the oldest and largest geothermal systems in the world. Learn more at cityofboise.org
    • St. Paul, MN (under construction): The Heights redevelopment project is in the process of installing a district geothermal system. Learn more: theheightssaintpaul.com