Rethinking Geothermal: Owens Companies Partners With Darcy Solutions To Offer New Geothermal Technologies As A Retrofit Option.

At Owens Companies, we believe the future of HVAC lies in smarter, cleaner, and more efficient technologies. For decades, geothermal energy has been one of the most sustainable heating and cooling options available—but for many buildings, especially those in urban settings, it just wasn’t practical.

That’s no longer the case. Thanks to a game-changing partnership with Darcy Solutions, we’re thrilled to bring a new kind of geothermal system to our clients. One that’s smaller, more efficient, and uniquely suited for Minnesota’s urban and geological landscape.

Let’s explain why this matters and why now is the perfect time to consider geothermal energy for your building.

Traditional Geothermal: Powerful, But Limited

Conventional geothermal systems typically use horizontal or vertical ground loops buried in soil to exchange heat with the soil. These systems can be incredibly efficient, but they come with some serious limitations:

• They require a lot of land—horizontal loops need space that many urban properties simply don’t have.

• They can be expensive and slow to install, particularly in dense or developed areas.

• Deep drilling can be intrusive, with unpredictable costs based on geology and permitting.

So, while the energy savings were attractive, the logistics often weren’t.

Darcy Solutions: A Smarter Way to Tap into the Earth

Darcy Solutions has reimagined geothermal by using a groundwater-based approach instead of relying on large underground loops.

Their patented system draws energy from naturally occurring groundwater aquifers, which are both more thermally stable and more efficient for heat transfer. It’s a breakthrough that offers the same (or better) benefits as traditional geothermal, with no space-hogging requirements.

Here’s why this matters:

1. Smaller Footprint, Big Results

Darcy's system requires 80% less land area than traditional ground-source systems. That means buildings once considered “unfit” for geothermal—think offices, schools, multifamily residences, and commercial buildings in urban areas—are now great candidates.

2. Lower Installation Costs

Because the system taps into existing groundwater flows, eliminating the need for deep boreholes or wide trenching can dramatically reduce both installation time and cost.

3. High Efficiency, Year-Round

Aquifers maintain a more stable and predictable temperature than surface soils. That translates to higher system efficiency in both heating and cooling modes, especially during extreme Minnesota winters.

Perfectly Suited for Minnesota

Here’s where things get really exciting: Darcy’s geothermal technology was designed specifically with the Twin Cities’ geology in mind.

Most areas in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul have excellent access to usable groundwater flows, making them prime locations for Darcy’s groundwater geothermal systems.

As a local HVAC provider with decades of experience in this region, Owens Companies is uniquely positioned to help clients tap into this technology—and all the benefits that come with it.

Sustainability That Pays Off

Of course, energy efficiency and reduced emissions are core reasons to go geothermal. But what’s truly compelling right now is the financial case.

Thanks to federal and local incentives—especially through the Inflation Reduction Act—building owners can access tax credits and rebates that cover up to 72% of the system cost. In many cases, that means a full return on investment in as little as one year.

Couple that with long-term operational savings, reduced maintenance needs, and protection against rising utility costs, and geothermal becomes more than a green upgrade—it’s a smart business move.

Why Partner with Owens Companies?

At Owens Companies, we don’t just install equipment—we help clients build energy strategies that work for their spaces, their goals, and their budgets.

Here’s how we make the geothermal process seamless:

Site Assessment & Geothermal Compatibility

Not every building is the same, so we start by analyzing your property’s geology, footprint, and HVAC needs to determine if Darcy’s geothermal system is a good fit.

Custom Design & Engineering

Our team works hand-in-hand with Darcy Solutions to design a system that meets your exact heating and cooling load, while maximizing energy efficiency.

Turnkey Installation

From permits and drilling to system integration and testing, we handle every step of the install—on time and with minimal disruption to your daily operations.

Ongoing Service & Support

As with all Owens systems, we back it up with ongoing maintenance and performance monitoring to ensure your investment performs for decades to come.

A Cleaner Future

As energy costs rise and sustainability targets become more urgent, it’s clear that geothermal will play a bigger role in the buildings of tomorrow.

But thanks to innovation from Darcy Solutions—and our team’s commitment to pushing HVAC forward—tomorrow’s geothermal is already here.

Whether you’re upgrading an aging system, designing a new build, or exploring options to reduce emissions and operating costs, geothermal could be your best move yet.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’ve ruled out geothermal in the past because of space, cost, or complexity, it’s time to take another look.

Contact Owens Companies today for a geothermal consultation. We’ll walk you through the options, incentives, and real-world performance data so you can make an informed, future-focused decision. Learn more about the latest geothermal technologies now available from Owens Companies at https://www.owenscompanies.com/geothermal