Novel split-type ground source heat pump (ST-GSHP) is being used widely in coal-to-electricity clean heating projects for rural residential buildings in North China. Taking 20 rural households in Jinzhou and Xinji, Hebei province, as examples, the actual operation performance of ST-GSHP systems during the whole heating period was tested and analyzed. Firstly, in-situ thermal response tests were conducted to obtain the initial ground temperature, the ground's thermal conductivity and the heat extraction capacity of ground heat exchanger (GHE). Then the hourly and monthly variations of main operating parameters were analyzed, including the indoor and outdoor temperature, the inlet and outlet temperature of GHE, the electricity consumption, the heat extraction of GHE and indoor heating energy consumption. Finally, the operation performance of ST-GSHP systems in 20 rural households was analyzed, and the seasonal coefficient of performance (COP) during the whole heating period was evaluated. The present results can provide an important basis for optimal design and theoretical modelling of ST-GSHP systems in future. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.