Frequently asked questions about Susanville’s geothermal system

Susanville’s geothermal utility uses heat stored naturally below the ground to provide energy for selected municipal and community facilities. The system is part of the City’s broader public infrastructure network, which also includes water, natural gas, streets, stormwater, engineering, and airport services.

Because geothermal service is different from conventional electric or gas heating, residents and property owners often have questions about how it works, who can use it, how charges are calculated, and what to do when a problem occurs. The answers below provide a practical overview while recognizing that service availability and operating details can vary by location.

For current utility information, payment resources, contact details, and department notices, visit the Public Works website. Official updates are the best source for current rates, projects, schedules, and emergency instructions.

How the geothermal system works

A geothermal system draws heat from naturally warm underground water. A production well brings the hot water to the surface, where heat can be transferred into a building’s heating system. The geothermal water and the building’s circulating water may remain in separate loops, depending on the equipment serving the property.

After usable heat has been removed, the geothermal fluid is generally managed through the system’s wells and related infrastructure. This approach allows the underground resource to support heating while reducing the need to burn fuel at each connected building.

Geothermal energy is not the same as ground-source heat pumps installed at individual homes. A district geothermal utility uses a shared municipal network and production facilities, while a ground-source heat pump typically exchanges heat with the ground through private piping on a property.

Who can receive geothermal service?

Service is limited to properties connected to the City’s geothermal distribution network. A building’s location, existing service connection, equipment, and system capacity all affect whether geothermal energy is available. A property near a geothermal line may still require an engineering review before connection.

Owners considering a new connection or a major renovation should contact Public Works before purchasing equipment or changing a building’s heating design. The department can explain application requirements, connection conditions, permits, inspection steps, and any costs associated with extending or modifying service.

Tenants should direct questions about building equipment, indoor temperature, or routine heating performance to the property owner or manager first. The City generally manages the public utility infrastructure, while private owners are responsible for interior distribution systems and building controls.

How geothermal charges are determined

Geothermal billing may include a recurring service charge, a usage-based charge, or other fees established by the City’s current utility schedule. The amount due can depend on the type of connection, measured consumption, seasonal conditions, and the rate category assigned to the account.

A geothermal bill does not necessarily represent the full cost of heating a building. Customers may also pay for electricity used by pumps, fans, thermostats, or supplemental heating equipment. Reviewing the bill together with building operating records can help identify unusual changes.

Question	Geothermal utility	Natural gas heating	Electric resistance heating
Primary energy source	Underground heat carried by geothermal water	Combustion of delivered gas	Electricity converted directly to heat
Main public infrastructure	Wells, pumps, distribution lines, and controls	Gas mains, services, and meters	Electric generation and distribution network
Building equipment	Heat exchangers, pumps, controls, and radiators or air handlers	Boiler or furnace and vents	Baseboards, heaters, or electric furnace
Local emissions at the building	Generally low, because heat is transferred rather than burned on site	Combustion gases require safe venting	No on-site combustion
Availability	Limited to connected service areas	Depends on gas network access	Broadly available where electric service exists

Rates and billing rules can change through approved City processes. Customers should rely on the current utility schedule and account information rather than older bills, informal estimates, or equipment labels.

What maintenance does a customer handle?

The City maintains the public geothermal system, including the infrastructure under its control. Property owners are generally responsible for private equipment such as heat exchangers, pumps, valves, thermostats, indoor pipes, radiators, air handlers, and building automation controls.

Regular maintenance helps protect comfort and efficiency. Owners should arrange inspections of strainers, filters, pumps, pressure controls, isolation valves, and heat-transfer equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A qualified technician should handle repairs that involve pressurized piping, electrical controls, or modifications to the service connection.

Customers should never attempt to open a geothermal valve, alter a meter, bypass a control, or make an unauthorized connection. Such work can create a scalding, pressure, flooding, or service-safety hazard and may damage equipment serving neighboring properties.

What should you do during a problem?

A lack of heat, unusual noise, leaking water, a sudden pressure change, or an unexpected bill can have several causes. First, note when the problem began and check whether it affects one room, the whole building, or nearby properties. Look for visible leaks or equipment alarms, but avoid touching hot pipes or opening system components.

Contact the appropriate property manager or heating contractor for private equipment problems. Contact Public Works when the issue may involve the City connection, a public geothermal line, a meter, or a wider service interruption. Provide the service address, account information if available, symptoms, and any visible damage.

Geothermal concerns can sometimes be confused with other utility or drainage problems. For guidance on distinguishing sewer incidents from rainfall-related flooding, review the City’s information about sewer and stormwater issues. If water is entering a building, protect people first and report urgent hazards promptly.

Safety, conservation, and planned work

Geothermal water can be extremely hot, and system piping may remain hot even when a building’s thermostat is off. Keep children away from exposed equipment, maintain clear access around valves and mechanical rooms, and use qualified professionals for service work. Report damaged covers, exposed piping, roadway leaks, or unusual discharges to the City.

Conserving heat reduces operating costs and helps the system serve connected customers reliably. Building owners can improve performance by sealing drafts, maintaining doors and windows, calibrating thermostats, insulating accessible piping, and avoiding excessive heating of unused spaces. Programmable controls should be adjusted gradually rather than switched rapidly between extreme settings.

Planned construction, maintenance, or utility work may temporarily affect access or service. Public notices can include information about schedules, affected areas, safety restrictions, and alternate arrangements. Check City communications regularly when work is scheduled near a connected property.

Practical steps for geothermal customers

• Keep the current utility rate schedule and emergency contact information with the building’s maintenance records.
• Arrange periodic inspections of private pumps, controls, heat exchangers, valves, and indoor heating equipment.
• Report leaks, service interruptions, damaged infrastructure, or unusual geothermal odors without attempting repairs on public equipment.
• Confirm connection and permit requirements with Public Works before remodeling or replacing major heating equipment.
• Track bills and building conditions so unusual consumption or performance changes can be identified early.

Use the City’s official Public Works resources for the latest geothermal rates, service requirements, notices, and contact instructions. Prompt reporting and routine private-equipment maintenance help protect the geothermal network and keep connected buildings operating safely and efficiently.