Every residential geothermal lease program project must include the following four design documents. Submit all items prior to installation for project approval.
Permit Submission
Permits must be approved before the Loop Field milestone can be completed.
Permit document
Submitted Date
Approved Date
1. Manual J Load Calculation
Whole-house heating and cooling load calculation per ACCA Manual J, room-by-room.
Produced in ACCA-approved software (Wrightsoft, Elite RHVAC, or CoolCalc)
Block load and room-by-room loads included
Design conditions match project ZIP code (ACCA Table 1A)
Building inputs documented: orientation, insulation, windows, infiltration
2. Manual S Equipment Selection
Heat pump selection report demonstrating capacity match to Manual J loads at design conditions.
Selected heat pump model and AHRI certificate referenced
Total and sensible cooling capacity at design EWT vs. Manual J cooling load
Heating capacity at design EWT vs. Manual J heating load
Cooling oversizing within ACCA limits (≤115% total, humid climates per Manual S)
Auxiliary / backup heat sized and documented (required for Northeast projects)
3. Manual D Duct Design
Duct system design or evaluation of existing ductwork.
New construction or full replacement: full Manual D design submitted
Existing ducts: static pressure test and CFM verification documented
Airflow (CFM) per room aligns with Manual J room loads
4. Ground Loop Design Report
Loop sizing and configuration from an accepted geothermal design tool.
Produced in an accepted tool (see list below)
Loop type, total bore footage, borehole count, and depth specified
Design EWT/LWT, flow rate, and antifreeze solution documented
Ground thermal conductivity value used and source cited
Grout thermal conductivity and pipe specification (HDPE 3608 / 4710 / PEX-A) listed
Rule-of-thumb sizing (e.g., feet per ton) is NOT acceptable
Required Photos
Requirement | Description |
Equipment Data Plate | Photo must show manufacturer's data plate with serial number, model number, and capacity rating clearly visible |
Mechanical Room Wide Shot | Photo must show the complete heat pump unit and surrounding installation area, including connections, clearances, and piping |
Flow Center | Photo must show flow center / circulator installation with connections to loop field and indoor unit |
Loop Field Photo | Photo must show loop field installation, ideally before backfill. For Loop Field milestone submissions, this is required before backfill. |
Electrical Disconnect | Photo must show electrical disconnect for the geothermal system, properly installed and accessible |
Thermostat | Photo must show thermostat installed and configured for geothermal system operation |