Imagine a home that stays cozy in the winter and cool in the summer without the shock of high utility bills. To make it a reality, there are a lot of heating and cooling systems available in the market. However, not every option delivers the efficiency homeowners want.
Geothermal energy is an eco-friendly option that makes use of the earth’s stable nature to maintain indoor comfort year-round. In many provinces of Canada, geothermal heating systems outperform traditional systems.
Beyond saving money, geothermal systems have the potential to remove the need to install separate systems for different seasons. If you are looking for long-term value that demands less maintenance, geothermal heating is a smart option to consider. Read on to learn what geothermal heating is, how it works, and what types are available.
What Is Geothermal Heating?
Geothermal heating is a system that keeps your indoor comfort by using the earth’s stable underground temperature. Naturally, the surface below the soil maintains a consistent temperature throughout the year. A geothermal system takes advantage of this to transfer heat between the ground and the home.
To be specific, in winter, the system fetches heat from the soil to warm the house, whereas in summer, it reverses the cycle by sending indoor heat back underground. This makes geothermal heating an efficient and reliable alternative to traditional systems.
How Does Geothermal Heating Work?
Geothermal heating is an energy-efficient system that works with a collection of well-designed components combined together. Here is a step-by-step description of how geothermal heating actually works.
Step 1: Installation of the Ground Loop
First of all, a set of durable pipes named the ground loop is buried below the frost line. These pipes are either horizontally or vertically installed based on the space availability. In most parts of Canada, the subsurface temperature stays between 5°C and 10°C year-round, regardless of surface weather.
Step 2: Fluid Circulation and Heat Collection
Once installed, the geothermal heating system circulates the fluid through the earth loop. As the fluid travels through the underground pipes, it absorbs the earth’s heat. As the fluid absorbs the radiant warmth from the soil or bedrock surrounding the pipes, its temperature progressively rises.
Step 3: Bringing Heat Indoors
The warmed fluid is then pumped into the home and enters a heat exchanger within the geothermal heat pump. The fluid transfers its heat to the heat pump’s internal system, which then warms air or water for your home.
Step 4: Distributing Warmth
The heat pump will spread the warmth throughout the house uniformly with the help of a duct system. The system is used for forced-air heating or a network of water pipes for radiant floor heating. This will ensure that your house gets enough comfort even on the coldest days.
Step 5: Recirculating and Repeating
When the fluid has released its heat energy indoors, it becomes cooler. The fluid returns to the ground loop and absorbs more geothermal heat. Compared to traditional electric heating, this technique uses significantly less electricity and operates in a continuous, energy-efficient cycle.
Step 6: Cooling in Summer
Many geothermal systems are reversible. In the months of summer, the heat pump will extract heat directly from the house and send it to the ground loop. This process is often more energy-efficient than conventional air conditioners.
Benefits of Geothermal Heating
Geothermal heating is a smart yet sustainable choice for everyone. The top benefits you must know are listed below.
Efficiency & Lower Operating Costs
A geothermal heating system is preferred by many homeowners because of its greater efficiency. These systems use considerably less energy than standard heating and cooling systems. The reason is that their nature is to extract natural heat from the earth.
Every year, homeowners can save 30-70 percent on heating costs and 20-50% on cooling costs. This kind of saving is what people would really expect. Geothermal heat pumps may generate three to four units of heating energy for every unit of power they need.
According to Natural Resources Canada, ENERGY STAR certified geothermal heat pumps use 45% less energy. This level of efficiency not only lowers expenses but also helps protect households from rising and unpredictable fossil fuel costs, such as natural gas.
Long Equipment Life & Cost Advantage
One of the most significant benefits of geothermal systems is their durability. Geothermal units have a longer lifespan than traditional heating and cooling systems.
Although the initial installation may seem expensive, the lower operational costs make them more cost-effective over time. Because of its longer lifespan and reduced operating expenses, it has the lowest overall life-cycle cost of any heating and cooling solution. Investing in geothermal heating is a worthy investment due to its dependability and long-term cost benefits.
Environmentally Friendly Technology
Geothermal heating is a clean and eco-friendly option that offers numerous environmental benefits. Unlike previous systems, there is no need to use fossil fuels and so no hazardous on-site emissions.
This will reduce the demand for power generation. This contributes to a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Geothermal systems mitigate environmental damage caused by nonrenewable resource extraction by making use of renewable earth energy.
Comfort & Consistent Heating and Cooling
Geothermal heating will allow homeowners to enjoy the comfort they love all year round. As the system makes use of the earth’s constant temperature, it delivers dependable heating in the winter and excellent cooling in the summer.
It also provides improved humidity control. This ensures peak comfort inside the home. Unlike regular systems, geothermal devices do not require exhaust venting. This will increase building weather tightness, resulting in fewer drafts and more even heating. Geothermal systems maintain a balanced and pleasant indoor atmosphere regardless of the weather outside.
Flexibility Across Different Uses
Geothermal systems are versatile and suitable for a wide range of applications. They can supply forced air heating, radiant in-floor heating, cooling, and even domestic hot water from a single device. These systems can be adapted to meet the needs of small residences, large offices, schools, and so on.
Geothermal units typically require only one-third of the space compared to conventional HVAC systems. This makes them ideal for both new construction and retrofits, as they offer versatile solutions without compromising efficiency.
Geothermal Heating System Types
Geothermal heating is available in different types to meet the various requirements of the users. The most common types are as follows.
Closed-Loop Systems
Horizontal and vertical loop systems are associated with closed-loop systems. Here, the fluid will circulate in the system without being exposed to the environment. As the piping is sealed, closed-loop systems will have a longer life span than open-loop systems.
- Horizontal Loop System
Pipes will be laid horizontally in trenches 4 to 6 feet deep. This option works best for homeowners with large yards. It is such a cost-effective option for new builds with sufficient land.
- Vertical loop system
This includes digging holes 100-400 feet deep and inserting loops vertically. It is ideal for small lots or rocky soil where horizontal loops aren’t feasible.
Open-Loop Systems
This system uses groundwater extracted from a well or lake, circulates it through the system, and then returns it to its source. It can be highly efficient but requires sufficient water quantity, proper water quality, and compliance with local regulations.
Pond/Lake Loop Systems
If there is a nearby pond or lake, coils of pipe can be buried to exchange heat. Pipes must be installed below the freeze line, and efficiency depends on water quality, availability, and seasonal temperature stability.
Final Thoughts
Geothermal heating is an eco-friendly and reliable solution for year-round indoor comfort. If you want your house to be pleasant and energy efficient throughout the year, seek the support of Infiniti Home Comfort. Our skilled experts provide prompt support, whether for a new installation or servicing an existing system.
Contact Infiniti Home Comfort today to enhance your home with a geothermal heating system!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Despite the higher initial costs, geothermal heating offers significant energy savings and enhanced comfort in Ontario’s cold climate, with several incentives available to offset installation costs.
The biggest downside is that the installation cost will be quite high, and a suitable piece of land or access to water will be required. Some sites may require deeper drilling, which can increase installation costs.
Yes. Geothermal systems are designed to offer efficient full heating and cooling for entire homes, especially during frigid winters. Geothermal systems provide reliable comfort throughout the home, even during frigid winters.
Installation costs can range from $15,000 to $30,000 CAD, depending on the system size and type; however, energy savings and government rebates make it economically viable in the long term.
