Thermal Conductivity Testing Service

Ensure your geothermal system is designed for peak performance—from the ground up.

OPPD offers professional Thermal Conductivity (TC) Testing to provide accurate, site-specific data for geothermal system design. Whether you're building within the OPPD service territory or beyond, our team delivers reliable testing to support efficient, cost-effective geothermal solutions.

Why Thermal Conductivity Testing Matters

Geothermal conductivity testing monitors the ground’s thermal response through a test borehole. This reveals the thermal properties of the subsurface, which help guide:

Accurate System Design
Develop your system design based on real-world data.
Cost Optimization
Avoid oversizing or undersizing the wellfield—saving on installation and long-term operational costs.
Performance Prediction
Ensure your geothermal system meets heating and cooling demands efficiently.
Risk Reduction
Reduce the risk of system failure or underperformance with data-driven information.

How We Test

Test Bore
A borehole is drilled and a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) loop is installed.
Loop Installation & Grouting
The loop is sealed with grout to ensure thermal contact with the surrounding formation.
Data Collection
Heated fluid is circulated through the loop. Sensors monitor temperature changes in the fluid and ground over several days.
Analysis
Specialized software analyzes soil thermal conductivity, soil thermal diffusivity and undisturbed earth temperature.
Reporting
A comprehensive report provides your test results.

What the Test Measures

Soil Thermal Conductivity
How efficiently the ground transfers heat.
Soil Thermal Diffusivity
How quickly temperature changes move through the ground.
Undisturbed Earth Temperature
The baseline temperature of the subsurface at your site.

Where We Work

OPPD provides TC testing services both within our service territory and beyond. We’re happy to bring our expertise wherever it’s needed and have completed projects for customers throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.

Contact Us

Ready to schedule a test or learn more about how TC testing supports your geothermal project? Please contact your Senior Account Manager, Account Manager, email BusinessCustomerService@oppd.com or call 531-226-3526.