Tax Credit Based on System Tons

• A system ton is how much heating the geothermal heat pump will provide. At the time of publication, those that provide three tons or under will net you a $600 tax credit; a four ton system will net you $700; a five ton system goes up to $800; and one that provides six or more system tons of heat will net you the most tax credit possible at $900.
  
  

Loop Systems

• A loop for a geothermal heat pump is the pipe that will circulate the heat from the ground into your home. The pipes are typically polyethylene and are underground near your home. These pipes allow an antifreeze-like fluid to travel into your home where a compressor processes it into heat. Certain types of loop systems are available, though Oregon only allows a closed loop system to qualify for a tax credit. Closed loop systems can go underwater, such as a pond or lake, and don't allow any of the fluid to empty into a natural body of water causing damage to the ecosystem.
  
  

COP Performance Rating

• Co-Efficient of Performance is commonly referred to as COP. To determine what your COP rating is for your geothermal heat pump, you need to divide the heating capacity of your heat pump by its electrical input. At the time of publication, to qualify for a tax credit in Oregon, a closed-loop geothermal heat pump needs a COP rating of 3.3.
  
  

Certified Technicians

• In addition to meeting the required specs, you will also need a certified geothermal technician to install your heat pump to qualify for the credit. You can find an approved technician by searching the state of Oregon's government website. All technicians on the list have geothermal training and sign an annual agreement with the Oregon Department of Energy.