NYSERDA Study Confirms: COREFROST™ Outperforms Traditional Antifreeze in Geothermal Systems

As our team has been on the road for various trade shows, we’ve received great interaction about our new product. People are interested in low-viscosity fluids, but they also want to see it prove out before taking the leap. That’s why we’re excited to share the results of a rigorous, third-party study.


NYSERDA—the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority—is a nationally respected public agency known for advancing clean energy innovation and supporting objective, science-based analysis. Their work is highly regarded among engineers, policymakers, and clean energy professionals across the country. When NYSERDA puts its name on a study, it’s because the findings meet a high standard of technical credibility and practical relevance.

NYSERDA conducted an independent evaluation of the benefits of COREFROST™ compared to traditional antifreeze solutions in ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems. Here is a snapshot of their findings, with emphasis on real-world results.

Note: CORECHEM Inc. has received exclusive U.S. distribution rights to this Kilfrost product, which is now marketed domestically as COREFROST™. The link to the published NYSERDA report can be found at the conclusion of this article.

Superior Freeze Protection

COREFROST™ can effectively reduce pumping energy while maintaining freeze protection down to 15°F, when compared to the energy required to pump propylene glycol with protection down to 20°F. That means:

  • More confidence in system reliability during extreme cold
  • Greater operational safety margin in variable conditions

Energy Savings: Lower Pumping Power

Because of its lower viscosity, COREFROST™ reduces the energy needed to circulate the fluid:

  • Up to 6% annual pumping energy savings when compared to propylene glycol with equivalent freeze protection
  • 11–15% savings when both fluids are compared at the same freeze point (20°F)

Improved Heat Transfer = Shorter Boreholes

COREFROST™’s ability to maintain turbulent flow at lower temperatures improves heat transfer efficiency. As a result:

  • Borehole lengths could be reduced by as much as 27%, cutting drilling costs
  • Designers can plan systems with lower entering water temperatures (EWT), without sacrificing performance

Enhanced System Reliability

Lower viscosity at cold temperatures helps maintain turbulent flow, even in extreme conditions. This:

  • Prevents fluid freezing even when temps dip below protection levels
  • Avoids costly shutdowns and system failures due to low flow rates or laminar conditions

Safety and Sustainability Built In

Unlike methanol, which is flammable and toxic, COREFROST™:

  • Uses food-safe, renewable ingredients
  • Is non-toxic and safer for installers and the environment
  • Avoids regulatory concerns in states with strict chemical use guidelines

Design Flexibility Without Compromise

COREFROST™ enables geothermal system designers to:

  • Use smaller pipes and still maintain efficient flow
  • Push design boundaries confidently, knowing performance won’t suffer
  • Reduce overall installation and lifetime operating costs

You can find the full article here.

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