IGSHPA is the ideal bridge between the latest technology and the people who benefit from these developments.
What is IGSHPA?
The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) is a non-profit, member-driven organization established in 1987 to advance ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology on local, state, national and international levels.
View IGSHPA Association Policies (PDF)
IGSHPA’s vision statement: Our vision is a world where every building is connected to the energy under our feet, utilizing the earth as a source of resilient, emission-free comfort. We realize this through IGSHPA training, equipping professionals with resources to ensure the precision and quality of every Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pump installation.
IGSHPA’s mission statement: Our mission is to accelerate the global adoption of Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pump technology by establishing industry-leading standards, providing world-class professional certification, and advocating for the role of GSHPs (Ground Source Heat Pumps) in a decarbonized future.
IGSHPA works extensively with The Geothermal Exchange Organization (GeoExchange) to promote both organizations’ visions
IGSHPA’s Core Values
IGSHPA’s Core Values include the following core competencies:
- Technical Excellence: We are the “Gold Standard” in technical excellence. We believe that the integrity of the Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pump industry depends on rigorous, CSA/ANSI-accredited training and design/installation standards.
- Radical Efficiency: We advocate for the most efficient use of our planet’s resources. We prioritize solutions that reduce electric grid strain, lower consumer costs, and maximize energy independence.
- Collaborative Advocacy: We bridge the gap between manufacturers, distributors/manufacturer representatives, contractors, drillers, utilities, policymakers, and other stakeholders. We believe that a unified industry voice is essential to overcoming regulatory and market barriers.
- Future-Ready Innovation: We embrace the evolution of technology—from the integration of GSHPs (Ground Source Heat Pumps) with smart grids to the advancement of renewable thermal storage.
IGSHPA’s Strategic Focus
The Road to 10% involves moving away from just focusing on certifying individuals and moving toward:
- Third-Party Ownership Models: Encouraging utilities to own the ground loop as “thermal infrastructure.”
- Workforce Readiness: Rapidly scaling the number of certified designers and installers to meet the demands of federal decarbonization grants.
- Market Awareness: Shifting public perception from “Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pumps are too expensive” to “GSHP technology is the highest-value renewable asset.”
IGSHPA Membership Value
The value of joining the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) centers on three pillars: professional credibility, technical mastery, and industry influence. Whether an installer, a designer, or a business owner, the core argument is that IGSHPA is the “gold standard” for the Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pump industry.
- #1 Professional Authority & Credibility: In a specialized field like GSHP technology, trust is everything. Membership signals to clients and peers that you adhere to rigorous industry standards.
- Accreditation: Access to specialized training and certifications (like GCSD – GSHP Commercial System Designer certification) that sets professionals apart from other HVAC designers/contractors.
- The IGSHPA Seal: Use of the member logo on marketing materials acts as a “stamp of approval,” reassuring homeowners and commercial developers of quality and safety.
- Standards Development: Members are the first to know about—and help shape—the CSA/ANSI/IGSHPA standards that govern how systems are designed and installed.
- #2 Technical Edge & Resource Access: The GSHP industry moves fast with evolving grout technologies, piping materials, and heat pump efficiencies. IGSHPA keeps members from falling behind.
- The Research Library: Exclusive access to technical manuals, design software resources, and historical data that solve complex on-site problems.
- Technical Support: A direct line to a community of experts who have likely encountered and solved the specific geological or mechanical issues you’re currently facing.
- Education: Discounted rates for continuing education units (CEUs) required to maintain licenses and stay competitive in the market.
- #3 Business Development & Networking: Membership isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about the bottom line and market expansion.
- Lead Generation: Inclusion in the IGSHPA business directory makes it easier for potential customers and other stakeholders to find qualified local professionals.
- Advocacy: IGSHPA works at the policy level to promote GSHP technology, helping to secure the tax credits and incentives that drive consumer demand.
- Peer Network: Direct connection to manufacturers, distributors/manufacturer representatives, contractors, drillers, utilities, policymakers, and other stakeholders, which is essential for building a reliable supply chain.
IGSHPA Membership Benefits
| Audience | Primary Value Proposition |
| Installers | Get certified to prove you’re the best in the field and reduce your liability through standardized practices. |
| Engineers/Architects | Access the latest design standards and peer-reviewed research to ensure high-performance, low-maintenance systems. |
| Business Owners | Leverage the IGSHPA brand to win more bids and tap into a national network of advocates. |
| End Users | “Peace of Mind”: GSHP systems are a significant investment; membership in IGSHPA tells the customer that the professional is part of a global network, dedicated to doing the job right the first time. |
History
Ground source heat pump technology is the wave of the future, but the concept isn’t new at all. In fact, Lord Kelvin developed the concept of the heat pump in 1852. In the late 1940’s, Robert C. Webber, a cellar inventor, was experimenting with his deep freezer. He dropped the temperature in the freezer and touched the outlet pipe and almost burned his hand. He realized heat was being thrown away, so he ran outlets from his freezer to his boilers and provided his family with more hot water than they could use! There was still wasted heat, so he piped hot water through a coil and used a small fan to distribute heat through the house to save coal. Mr. Webber was so pleased with the results that he decided to build a full size heat pump to generate heat for the entire home. Mr. Webber also came up with the idea to pump heat from underground, where the temperature doesn’t vary much throughout the year. Copper tubing was placed in the ground and freon gas ran through the tubing to gather the ground heat. The gas was condensed in the cellar, gave off its heat and forced the expanded gas to go through the ground coil to pick up another load. Air was moved by a fan and distributed into the home. The next year, Mr. Webber sold his old coal furnace.
In the forties, the heat pump was known for its superior efficiency. The efficiency was especially useful in the seventies. The Arab oil embargo awakened conservation awareness and launched interest in energy conservation despite cheap energy prices. That is when Dr. James Bose, professor at Oklahoma State University, came across the heat pump concept in an old engineering text. Dr. Bose used the idea to help a homeowner whose heat pump was dumping scalding water into his pool. Dr. Bose fashioned the heat pump to circulate the water through the pipes instead of dumping the water into the pool. This was the beginning of the new era in geothermal systems. Dr. Bose returned to Oklahoma State University and began to develop his idea. Since then, Oklahoma has become the center of ground source heat pump research and development. The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association was formed in Oklahoma, and was based on the campus of Oklahoma State University, where Dr. Bose served as executive director until his retirement in November of 2013.
In 2019, it was decided by Oklahoma State University to find a new home for the association. After looking at opportunities across the country, it was decided to allow IGSHPA to become an affiliate organization with The GeoExchange Organization, with the final documents approved in September 2020. IGSHPA is now an independent non-profit trade organization. The first inaugural board was introduced, which included Kortney Lull as Chairperson, Tim Wright as Vice Chairperson, Jason Cullum as Treasurer, Brian Urlaub as Secretary and Darrin Beller as board member. Since the inaugural board, IGSHPA members have elected board members, who are up for re-election every three (3) years. Each year IGSHPA board elections are on a rotating basis to maintain consistency with board initiatives. One or more board members are elected by sector. Board member sectors are architect/engineer, dealer/contractor, ground loop installer, manufacturer, product distributor, utility, and general.