Wellesley Village Church breaks ground on geothermal HVAC upgrade

Wellesley Village Church (WVC) found GreenerU through word of mouth in 2024 after we helped decarbonize Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, Mass., with a major HVAC conversion to heat pumps and energy-efficiency upgrades. WVC was impressed by our reputation for working with mission-driven institutions on energy and carbon-reduction projects.

The church’s leaders were looking for more than just a contractor. They needed a partner who could help them navigate the technical, financial, and community dimensions of a complex infrastructure decision: whether to go with the more conventional air-source heat pump option or a geothermal HVAC upgrade. We were honored to step in.

A moment of urgency

This project wasn’t just about failing boilers or aging rooftop units, though both were very real problems. WVC’s HVAC systems were loud, inefficient, and increasingly unreliable.

But the moment for action was also theological and generational. Since 2014, WVC has committed to environmental stewardship, including installing rooftop solar and forming a dedicated energy committee. Now, with their HVAC at a breaking point, they saw an opportunity to make a major leap forward on their journey to net zero.

Exploring the options

Together with church leaders, GreenerU explored two major options for replacing the heating and cooling system: a hybrid natural gas and air-source heat pump solution, and a fully electrified geothermal HVAC upgrade. Each path came with tradeoffs—on cost, complexity, carbon emissions, and long-term value. Natural gas offered a lower first cost and a familiar approach. But only geothermal delivered the long-term emissions reductions the congregation had set out to achieve.

As part of our process, we helped church leaders compare lifecycle costs, environmental impact, system reliability, and long-term energy performance across both scenarios. We also supported their discernment process, helping to frame options for congregational feedback and align with the broader “Empowering the Future” capital vision.

Why geothermal won

In the end, WVC chose the geothermal HVAC upgrade option—not because it was the cheapest in the short term, but because it had the best 30-year total cost of ownership, and because it aligned with their faith, mission, and long-term responsibility to future generations. The selected system includes:

• 22 vertical boreholes drilled 850 feet deep beneath the church property
• 150 tons of heating and cooling capacity
• Roof-mounted air handlers with energy recovery that comply with the latest energy code
• Integration with existing ductwork and hydronic loops to minimize waste and disruption

These design choices will make the system the most efficient, lowest emission solution available—and one with the longest useful life of any scenario we studied.

Integrating the new with the old

One of the most exciting—and challenging—aspects of this project is how the new geothermal system will tie into the church’s existing infrastructure. While the underground wellfield is brand new, much of the church’s above-ground distribution system—ductwork, hot water loops, even the historic sanctuary—will remain. GreenerU’s role includes smart integration, controls upgrades, and recommissioning that preserve what’s working, update what’s not, and ensure everything functions as one seamless, efficient system.

Financing with faith and foresight

To bring this project to life, WVC is pursuing a capital fundraising campaign. The geothermal system will qualify for federal tax credits and Mass Save incentives. Our team has supported the church in estimating and planning around these incentives, while also recommending a test well to refine assumptions and ensure project success and system reliability.

Looking ahead

Wellesley Village Church is not just investing in heating and cooling with a geothermal HVAC upgrade. They’re investing in a vision of a better, more sustainable future. From solar panels to geothermal wells, from liturgy to lighting retrofits, they are showing what it means to live out faith in tangible, carbon-reducing ways.

This project reminds us of something we say often: decarbonization is not just a technical journey—it’s a human one. We’re proud to walk that path with WVC, every step (and borehole) of the way.

Breaking ground: where the project stands today

After years of planning and discernment, Wellesley Village Church has officially broken ground—literally. This past December, the first geothermal test well was successfully drilled on church grounds. This initial well gives the project team vital information about the subsurface conditions and confirms the viability of the full 22-well geothermal field.

Watch the construction update video here to see the drilling process in action and hear directly from project leaders about what’s next.

This is more than a milestone. It’s a powerful visual symbol of the congregation’s commitment to climate leadership. The drilling rig on site is a tangible reminder that the vision for a carbon-free future is becoming reality, one borehole at a time.

With the test well complete, the project is moving into its next phase: refining engineering plans, finalizing incentive applications, and preparing for full construction. As we continue forward, we’re working closely with WVC leadership to keep the congregation informed and engaged—ensuring that this project remains grounded not only in the earth beneath us, but in the values that brought it to life. The main phase of construction will restart this spring and continue through the summer for a fall completion date to align with the start of the heating season.

Have thoughts about moving forward with a geothermal HVAC upgrade? GreenerU can help you understand the full breadth of your technical, operational, and financial options. Contact us today.

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