Geothermal Technicians
Overview
Geothermal Technicians install, operate, and repair systems that turn underground heat into clean energy for buildings and power plants. They read blueprints, calculate how much heating and cooling a property needs, choose the right equipment, and design underground pipe “loop” systems that match the site’s soil, water, and climate. On the job, they run tests on pipes and pumps, weld high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, dig and backfill trenches with excavators and trenchers, and use gauges, sensors, and computer controls to monitor power plant performance and fix electrical or mechanical problems before they cause downtime.
Did you know?
Most positions require completion of HVAC programs or geothermal-specific certifications, with many employers preferring candidates who have completed apprenticeships or technical school programs.
At a Glance
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Equipment Maintenance
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and maintain logs, reports, or other documentation of work performed.
- Identify equipment options, such as compressors, and make appropriate selections.
- Install and maintain geothermal system instrumentation or controls.
- Collect and record data associated with operating geothermal power plants or well fields.
- Identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls.
- Determine the type of geothermal loop system most suitable to a specific property and its heating and cooling needs.
- Integrate hot water heater systems with geothermal heat exchange systems.
- Design and lay out geothermal heat systems according to property characteristics, heating and cooling requirements, piping and equipment requirements, applicable regulations, or other factors.
- Monitor and adjust operations of geothermal power plant equipment or systems.
- Perform pre- and post-installation pressure, flow, and related tests of vertical and horizontal geothermal loop piping.
- Operate equipment, such as excavators, backhoes, rock hammers, trench compactors, pavement saws, grout mixers or pumps, geothermal loop reels, and coil tubing units (CTU).
- Determine whether emergency or auxiliary systems will be needed to keep properties heated or cooled in extreme weather conditions.
- Maintain, calibrate, or repair plant instrumentation, control, and electronic devices in geothermal plants.
- Dig trenches for system piping to appropriate depths and lay piping in trenches.
- Install and maintain geothermal plant electrical protection equipment.
- Install, maintain, or repair ground or water source-coupled heat pumps to heat and cool residential or commercial building air or water.
- Weld piping, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, using techniques such as butt, socket, side-wall, and electro-fusion welding.
- Calculate heat loss and heat gain factors for residential properties to determine heating and cooling required by installed geothermal systems.
- Apply coatings or operate systems to mitigate corrosion of geothermal plant equipment or structures.
- Prepare newly installed geothermal heat systems for operation by flushing, purging, or other actions.
- Backfill piping trenches to protect pipes from damage.
- Test water sources for factors, such as flow volume and contaminant presence.
- Maintain electrical switchgear, process controls, transmitters, gauges, and control equipment in accordance with geothermal plant procedures.
- Adjust power production systems to meet load and distribution demands.
Career Considerations
Specialized Training Requirements
Most positions require completion of HVAC programs or geothermal-specific certifications, with many employers preferring candidates who have completed apprenticeships or technical school programs.
Growing Market Demand
The increasing focus on renewable energy and federal tax incentives for geothermal systems are driving job growth in this field across the United States.
Physical Work Environment
The job involves significant physical demands including working outdoors in various weather conditions, lifting heavy equipment, and performing installations in confined spaces.