The development and utilization of new energy is a global trend, and geothermal energy as a clean energy has attracted widespread attention in the context of increasing climate warming. Ground source heat pump system (GSHP) can effectively develop and utilize geothermal energy. As a new form of ground source heat pump system (GSHP), energy piles have the dual functions of conducting heat and bearing the upper load. Focusing on the two core issues of heat transfer performance and thermal-mechanical response, the applicability and safety of energy piles are systematically analyzed. First, the research background and significance of energy piles are introduced, the factors and mechanisms affecting the heat transfer performance of energy piles are explained, the structural response of energy piles under the thermal-mechanical coupling state is analyzed, and the current domestic and foreign heat transfer and bearing capacity models are summarized. A brief analysis and evaluation of the current research status. Finally, the next research proposal and prospect of energy piles are put forward.