A large number of ground-source heat pumps (GSHP) systems have been used in residential and commercial buildings throughout the world due to the attractive advantages of high energy and environmental performances. The GSHPs are proven renewable energy technology for space heating and cooling. This paper provides a detailed literature review of the GSHP systems, and their recent advances. The operation principle and energy efficiency of a heat pump are defined first. Then, a general introduction on the GSHPs and its development, and a detailed description of the surface water (SWHP), ground-water (GWHP), and ground-couplet (GCHP) heat pumps are performed. The most typical simulation and ground thermal response test models for the vertical ground heat exchangers currently available are summarized including the heat transfer processes outside and inside the boreholes. Also, some information about a new GWHP using a heat exchanger with special construction, and the possibility to obtain the better energy efficiency with combined heating and cooling by GCHP are presented. The various hybrid GCHP systems for cooling or heating-dominated buildings are well described. Finally, the energy, economic and environmental performance of a closed-loop GCHP system is also briefly reviewed. It is found that the GSHP technology can be used both in cold and hot weather areas and the energy saving potential is significant. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.