When it comes to the comfort of our home, we always want to take advantage of the latest innovations and at the same time reduce the impact of our activities on the environment. Heating remains the most important concern of homeowners in Quebec, and conventional systems range from gas or wood to electric or fuel oil. More or less expensive, these are losing ground to more modern, renewable technologies. Geothermal energy is one of them.
How a geothermal system works: One of the many properties of soil we can benefit from is its ability to store heat, around 10 °C in Quebec, even at depths of just a few metres. What a geothermal system does is capture that heat and direct it inside the home. A circuit of underground sensors, a network of pipes carrying a liquid that warms as it circulates, is connected to a heat pump, which transfers the heat into the house through a distribution system. The same geothermal heat pump runs in cooling mode in summer, by reversing the process.
How it differs from an ordinary heat pump: If you already have a conventional heat pump you know the principle: it captures heat from outside and directs it indoors. The difference is where the heat comes from. A conventional unit takes it from the outside air, which gets colder exactly when you need it most; a geothermal unit takes it from the ground, which holds its temperature all winter. And in cooling mode the heat pulled out of your house is not dumped outdoors. It goes back into the ground, ready for the next cold season. We set the two side by side in conventional heat pump versus geothermal.
The main advantages: Five reasons Quebec homeowners make the switch:
• Durability: a geothermal system delivers optimal comfort for 25 to 50 years, while the life of conventional systems is about half that.
• Multiple functions: instead of a separate heating system and air conditioner, one geothermal heat pump covers both, and can even preheat water in a water heater. The temperature stays constant through the year, which makes adapting to the seasons much easier.
• Lower heating costs: given the simplicity of the system, the permanent availability of the heat source and the reduced electricity consumption, heating bills are noticeably lower. The purchase price is higher up front, and over time the installation earns that back. Geothermal projects can also qualify for government rebates.
• Low maintenance: once installed, the system needs very little costly professional servicing, and rarely needs repair.
• Eco-responsibility: growing research and discussion about the impact each of us has on the environment push us toward more responsible choices about non-renewable resources. Choosing a geothermal heat pump means opting for renewable energy for decades to come. Our article on the environmental impact of geothermal energy ranks it against the alternatives.
What it costs, and when it makes sense: Like any durable, efficient product, a geothermal heat pump costs more than a conventional one, typically three to four times as much, and you should budget for ventilation ducts if your house has none. Our article on what a geothermal installation costs in Quebec and what it returns sets out the current price range, how the cost divides between drilling, equipment and labour, and the efficiency that pays it back. Government rebates offset a meaningful share on top of that. It is why geothermal suits a home you plan to stay in for the long term, or a house you are already renovating.
Talk to an Allard & Emond specialist: If you are considering switching to geothermal and would like to know more about what suits your needs, including whether your lot is a good candidate for a ground loop, call us and speak with one of our specialists. If you prefer, request an estimate online and we will contact you as soon as possible.
