The GEOSTAR Top Job Competition has been an integral part of the NY-GEO Annual Conference since its inception in 2015. Its objective is to highlight and recognize the incredible skill, talent, and creative imagination that exists in geothermal system designers and installers. Thanks to GEOSTAR, a WaterFurnace International company, for their support from the beginning!
This year we will be recognizing and awarding in three categories and a Peoples Choice.
- COMMERCIAL | INDUSTRIAL
- This category includes larger commercial, industrial, or multifamily projects...
- Thermal Energy Networks
- CAMPUSES / TEN
- RESIDENTIAL
- New Construction
- Retrofit
- PEOPLES CHOICE
Why Apply?
Show the world what geothermal can do! The Top Job competition celebrates outstanding projects and the professionals behind them. It’s your chance to share your work, connect with peers, and highlight how geothermal technology powers healthier, more efficient, and sustainable buildings.
Be recognized by your peers and inspire others—apply for Top Job and prove the power of geothermal today!
Top Jobs submissions should highlight geothermal heating and cooling project(s), that include:
- Ingenuity
- Efficiency
- Quality
- Accessibility
- Financial
- Obstacles Overcome
Top Jobs projects allows the geothermal industry to communicate to those outside the industry including policymakers the variety of ways this technology can be applied, especially in situations where daunting challenges seem impossible to overcome and yet they are.
Please share your Top Jobs project that will inspires, motivates and explores the possibilities of geothermal energy.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Top Jobs Criteria
When evaluating each project, the judges will use the following criteria:
Ingenuity
- Design incorporates a holistic approach to cover all the needs of the project
- Design takes balancing of the heating and cooling load into account
- Design incorporates the use of other systems, such as circulation fans, ERV Units, etc.
- Innovation of ground heat exchangers or other systems accessing or transporting thermal sources/sinks.
Efficiency: Measures taken to reduce parasitic power consumption such as:
- Use of High-Efficiency Equipment (variable speed units) - Fan Power (ECM, low static pressure Ductwork, etc.)
- Pumping Power(VFD Pumps, low-pressure drop in loop field and distribution piping, etc.)
Quality
- Quality of Materials used
- Measures taken to ensure high-quality install
Accessibility
- Performance Monitoring
- Remote Access to Heat pump Controls and Settings-Remote Access to Thermostats for “Building Owner”
Financial
- Innovative financing-Return on investment
- LMI affordability
Obstacles Overcome
- Space constraints
- Convincing and gaining support
2026 Top Jobs Application Form
To enter, please complete the form found at this LINK.
2026 Top Jobs Slide Deck Opening Slide Template
Please review Top-Job_RULES-2026
Need to Know Dates:
-Application Submission Deadline: March 6
-Awardees Advised: March 13
-Awards at NY-GEO 2026: March 24, Brooklyn
Send all support documentation to Christine@ny-geo.org
Subject Line: Top Jobs 2026 Support Documentation.
Have Questions? Reach out to Joanne Coons
j.coons359@gmail.com
(518) 522-3173