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On this page we may use different terminology to describe Geothermal systems, which are also known as:

• Geothermal Heating and Cooling

• Geoexchange

• Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)

• Shallow Geothermal
   

What's the difference between shallow and deep well Geothermal?

As defined by Alberta Environmental Law Center - https://elc.ab.ca:

Geothermal resources contain the heat energy generated and stored in the earth. Geothermal resources can be divided into two categories - shallow and deep – which reflect their different uses. Shallow geothermal resources are used for Geoexchange purposes (i.e. heating and cooling of buildings) whereas deep resources can be used as sources of direct heat or power production. Alberta’s legal and regulatory framework also distinguishes between shallow and deep geothermal resources using the base of groundwater protection (shallow=above and deep=below).

There is a legal definition of geothermal resources: “the natural heat from the earth that is below the base of groundwater protection” The base of groundwater protection varies throughout the province. For instance, in the mountains it is deemed to be 600 m below ground whereas the City of Calgary requires a license from the Alberta Energy Regulator where a bore will be more than 150 m below ground. These are deep geothermal resources.

References: Geothermal Resource Development Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Mines and Minerals Act 

 

How does Geothermal (Geoexchange) technology work?

Geothermal heating and cooling systems take advantage of the stable earth temperature below the frost line (5-12°C depending on location) and use it as a heat source or sink. Geothermal systems use heat pumps to reject/extract energy to/from the ground using the refrigeration cycle. The process is very similar to the operation of a traditional air conditioner (or air-source heat pump), but instead of rejecting heat to the outside air, the geothermal (or ground source) heat pump, rejects heat to the ground (or extracts heat from the ground in heating) using a water-based fluid. Because geothermal systems use fluid as a heat transfer medium, the efficiencies are much higher than with air-source heat pumps (air is a bad heat transfer medium). This is especially true in heating as below approximately -10°C there isn't enough heat in the air to extract energy efficiently. Furthermore, because the earth temperature is more moderate year round, heating and cooling remains efficient regardless of the outdoor temperature. Typical average efficiencies are between 330-400% in heating, and 500-700% in cooling.
 

For a quick video on how geothermal heating and cooling works, please watch this video (please note, some quoted figures and temperatures will differ in every location): https://youtu.be/sbiq_yd-znM?si=tZ4YOPoDVJJ8NInM

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I heard that Heat Pumps don't work in Canada as it is too cold?

This is a common misconception. Heat Pumps refer to two different types of heating systems; air source heat pumps (ASHP) or ground source heat pumps (GSHP). Air-source heat pumps extract heat from the outdoor air, even in cold weather. They use the temperature differential between the outdoor air and the desired indoor temperature to heat or cool a building. The efficiency of ASHPs drops significantly when the temperature is below minus 10 or so. They also require defrost cycles and backup heating (typically electric resistance).
 

Ground Source Heat Pumps on the other hand, extract heat from the ground, specifically from the ground loop buried underground. They rely on the stable temperature of the earth at a certain depth to exchange heat with the building. GSHPs are highly efficient because they exchange with the stable ground temperature, which remains steady throughout the year. They maintain their efficiency even in very cold climates, making them a preferred choice in such areas.

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How efficient is a GSHP?

Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) are the most efficient heating and cooling systems available today, with average heating efficiencies commonly ranging between 330-500%, and average cooling efficiencies ranging from 500-700+%. Because of these high efficiencies, geothermal systems typically reduce energy use from heating and cooling by 70-80%. They are 4-5x as efficient as a traditional furnace or boiler and twice as efficient as a typical air conditioner. 

 

Can one system provide both space heating and cooling for a building? And what about heating hot water?

Yes. One of the main advantages of a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system is that the ground loop is used for both heating and cooling. Which means you can eliminate an extra piece of equipment. A GSHP can be a combination heating/cooling and hot water heating system. You can change from one mode to another with a simple flick on your indoor thermostat. 

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How long will my GSHP system last?

A well-maintained Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system is designed to have a long operational lifespan. Typically, the heat pumps in a GSHP system can last 20 to 25 years or more (based on ASHRAE average life), while the underground pipe carries a 50 year warranty and will likely last 100 years or more..

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How much money will I save on Energy and Maintenance?

Energy Costs: For obvious reasons, this answer depends on the type of system being installed and the type of system we are comparing to. In general, because of the discrepancy between the cost of methane (also known as natural gas - which is currently cheap) and electricity per unit of energy, the more cooling dominant a building is, the higher the savings. A heating only building might not see much savings for the first few years until methane prices normalize (although carbon taxes can play a significant impact). Whereas cooling dominant buildings will see significant savings immediately. A commercial building should expect energy savings in the range of 25-50% depending on how cooling dominant it is and what system we are comparing to. There are also tax incentives available for commercial buildings including a 30% renewable energy tax credit and an accelerated capital cost allowance.

Maintenance Costs: Several ASHRAE studies comparing maintenance costs for commercial buildings, including those by Hughes et al, Cane et al, as well as Dohrmann and Alareza, have found geothermal systems to have some of the lowest maintenance costs of any other system. In some cases the studies found maintenance costs of Geothermal systems to be as little as 1/3rd of traditional systems. Conservatively, as long as the system was designed and installed properly, clients can expect the maintenance costs for geothermal systems to be 50% of those of a traditional system.

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How do you ensure a successful geothermal installation?

The best way to ensure a successful install is by selecting and working with reputable, professional, and experienced certified designers and installers. 

 

What are the main benefits of installing a geothermal system?

Significant Energy Savings: Geothermal systems can reduce energy usage by 70-80% compared to traditional systems, contributing to substantial long-term cost savings.

Reduced Carbon Emissions: Even considering the dirtier electricity grids in Alberta and Saskatchewan, geothermal systems result in significant reductions in CO2 emissions, especially over an extended period, as the energy grid becomes cleaner (the emissions for a fossil fuel based system always remains the same). In provinces with clean grids like BC, electrification alone can result in up to 90% emissions reductions.

Lower Operating and Maintenance Costs: Geothermal systems generally have lower operating and maintenance costs, providing economic advantages over the system's lifespan.

Enhanced Energy Security: Using only a fraction of the energy compared to traditional systems, geothermal systems offer increased energy security by minimizing vulnerability to future price shocks.

Extended Lifespan: The ground loop component of geothermal systems has a lifespan of 100+ years, eliminating the need for frequent replacement and maintenance of boiler and chiller equipment.

Elimination of Outdoor Units: Geothermal systems don't require outdoor or rooftop units for cooling, contributing to a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing building design.

Smaller Mechanical Room: Geothermal systems often require a smaller mechanical room, potentially freeing up space for other purposes.

Elimination of Carbon Tax for Heating Fuel Consumption: As geothermal systems use electricity, they are not subject to carbon taxes associated with traditional heating fuels.

Simultaneous Heating and Cooling Loads: The system allows for simultaneous heating and cooling loads in the building, enabling efficient energy sharing throughout the building.

Highly Efficient Cooling: Geothermal systems provide highly efficient cooling as part of the same system, contributing to overall energy efficiency.

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What are the risks of not installing a geothermal system?

Geothermal systems are the future. They provide the most efficient way to electrify buildings and are the easiest and cheapest way to achieve Net Zero (in most cases). Canada has already mandated Net Zero ready building codes by 2030, so this isn't a question of 'if', it's a question of 'when' heat pumps will be used in every new building. Fundamentally, the question to ask is, do I want to install a fossil fuel based system in a world that is very rapidly moving away from them. The biggest risk and mistake you can make now is to install a stranded asset that will have to be ripped out and retrofitted within the next 5-10 years. Retrofits are inherently more complicated and much more costly. All technological adoptions follow S-curve rates of adoption, and we believe that geothermal systems will be no different.

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