Why Choose Geothermal Energy?
For Edmonton, geothermal energy offers a sustainable, cost-effective solution for heating and cooling. Utilizing the earth’s stable underground temperatures, it ensures efficient climate control throughout the year. This eco-friendly choice reduces fossil fuel reliance and aligns with the city’s environmental goals, making it an ideal option for the local climate.
Summer of 21'
In the summer of 2021, we ventured North of Edmonton to the small farming community of St. Paul, AB. It was important to the Homeowner that he minimized his carbon footprint by installing this geothermal system. For his home and attached garage, it took an 8 ton ground loop to meet the heating load required for the project.
The excavation of the horizontal ground loop took a few days to complete. Being mindful of the large glacial till, it required some precision to ensure there were no large boulders that could potentially impact the 0.75″ high density polyethylene pipe (HDPE).
The heat pump installed was manufactured by Eco Forest in Spain, and purchased through our supplier GeoSmart Energy. The heat pump has a coefficient of performance (COP) of 5, meaning for every $1 spent on electricity, you receive 5 units of energy.
This system omits the need for natural gas furnaces, boilers for radiant heat, domestic hot water heaters and tanks, air conditioners, and garage heaters.
The fact is – the earth is the largest solar array which we leverage to convert to heating and cooling using geoexchange technology.
Utilizing energy efficient building materials will also help reduce the size of these types of system.
Reasons To Choose Geothermal Energy
For the Environment
Why Choose Geothermal Energy? For the Environment! Installing a GeoSmart Energy system in a typical home is the environmental equivalent of planting 750 trees – or taking two cars off the road. That’s because our systems don’t burn fossil fuels, and they don’t emit carbon dioxide, which has been associated with the greenhouse effect and global warming. The Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium says current geothermal systems save more than 14 million barrels of crude oil every year. And because the only energy needed to run geothermal systems is a small amount of electricity, they reduce the need for new coal-powered electric power plants. Result? Cleaner air and less acid rain.
For the Efficiency
Geothermal technology provides a cost-effective, environmentally responsible way to heat or cool any space. As a result of the incredible efficiency of a GeoSmart Energy system, your monthly energy savings can be enough to recover your initial investment associated with the installation the equipment. A GeoSmart Energy system operates more efficiently than ordinary heating and air conditioning systems – 30 to 70 percent more efficiently, in most cases. For every unit of electricity the system consumes, it provides four units of heating energy, giving a geothermal system a 400 percent efficiency rating, on average. These numbers can translate into real savings on your utility bills year-round. Why choose geothermal energy for heating and cooling? 400% efficiency energy rating, on average!
For the Air Quality
The air you breathe each day can have a profound impact on the health of you and your family. On average, people spend close to 90% of their time indoors, whether at home, at work, at school or in leisure activities. While you have little control over the environmental pollutants you’re exposed to outdoors, you can significantly improve the quality of the air that you and your children breathe in your home. Fuel-burning appliances, biological pollutants (i.e. dust, mold) and household products can all contribute to poor air quality in your home. To help you create the healthiest possible environment for you and your family, Envirotech Geothermal offers an exceptional line of products designed to generate cleaner air in your home.
For the Comfort and Flexibility
Because a GeoSmart Energy system uses the relatively stable temperature of the earth as an energy source, you’re assured of constant, even winter heating and better humidity control in the summer. Due to the nature of geothermal technology, our systems move a higher volume of air thorough the home than a conventional system. The overall result is a much more even temperature in every room of the house. Higher volume means that the warmth created by your new system will reach to the furthest ends of the house before the thermostat has been satisfied.
Geothermal systems can provide any combination of forced-air heating, radiant in-floor heating, domestic hot water, and air conditioning all from the same unit. From houses to office buildings to community swimming pools, and everything in between, geothermal systems can be designed to provide efficient heating and cooling solutions.
Why Choose Geothermal energy? Geothermal heating and cooling taps into that source to provide you with the most efficient, environmentally friendly heating and cooling system available today.
Geosmart Energy
A GeoSmart Energy system uses the Earth’s thermal properties in conjunction with electricity to provide you with whole home space conditioning and unprecedented efficiency. For every unit of electricity the system uses, it provides four units of heating energy, giving a geothermal system a 400 percent efficiency rating, on average. So, why geothermal? These numbers can translate into real savings on your utility bills year-round. The secret of a GeoSmart Energy system’s clean, efficient operation is the earth’s ability to store heat. In fact, almost 50% of the sun’s energy that reaches our planet is absorbed into the earth. That’s 500 times more energy than all of humanity would need in a year! And it’s an unlimited source of energy.
Designed For Cold Canadian Climates
Physically, the GeoSmart Energy system resembles a conventional forced-air furnace located conveniently in your mechanical room. Specially designed for use in the cold Canadian climate, our geothermal systems extract heat from a series of closed loop pipes buried outside of your home and transfer it into your mechanical room directly to your GeoSmart Energy unit. From there the system superheats the free energy and distributes it through the home by way of forced-air or infloor heating. In summer, the system simply reverses and extracts heat from your home for cooling and moves the heat to either your domestic hot water tank or into your closed loop pipes outside. Whatever the season, a GeoSmart Energy system will keep your home as comfortable as you could ever imagine.
Quiet Operation and Safety
The compact self-contained, interior equipment does not need a noisy, unsightly outside condensing unit that a traditional air conditioner requires. Geothermal heat pumps are quiet and discrete. You will barely know they are there, but you’ll notice the lower energy bills. No Flame, no flue, no odors, no carbon monoxide. Safe and reliable operation.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Why Choose Geothermal Energy
Geothermal heating is silent and always available. Geothermal is also used to cool your home and not another unit taking up space in your yard and home.
Geothermal energy systems have fewer environmental impacts than fossil fuels. Geothermal heating and cooling is an efficient way to heat and cool homes and businesses that are too far from propane and natural gas lines.
A disadvantage is the high initial cost for individual households. The need for drilling and installing a specific system are additional costs. The return on your investment typically takes 2 to 5 years. Read more in our Blog Will energy efficient heat pumps save you money and build a sustainable future?
Your electric usage will increase with geothermal heating and cooling, but that additional cost won’t be divided equally throughout the year. Your electric bill will likely be lower in the summer than you paid previously. You’ll be spending less money overall than when heating with oil or propane.
“The 2022 Fall Economic Statement proposes a refundable tax credit equal to 30 per cent of the capital cost of investments in Low-Carbon Heat Equipment, including active solar heating, air-source heat pumps, and ground-source heat pumps. For additional incentives, read our blog Need money? In Canada, get low-interest financing for renewable energy upgrades. Geothermal heating and cooling is the most efficient, safe and effective way to heat and cool your home.
