You have done your research, you have consulted specialists, you have considered all your options and you have finally decided: your next heating / cooling system will be a heat pump, or thermodynamic heat transfer system. It is an excellent choice that requires an investment at the beginning, but in the longer term is economical and environmentally responsible.
But you are still asking yourself this question: “Central heat pump or geothermal heat pump?”
Don’t panic! Here are some points to guide you in this final choice.
1) THE HEATING / AIR CONDITIONING PROCESS
The process is similar for both types of heat pumps.
In heat mode, the heat pump draws heat from the outside air, while the geothermal heat pump draws it from the ground and then retransmits it into the home.
The advantage of geothermal is that the soil is at a constant temperature of ± 7° C, which means that there is more heat available, which gives a higher yield.
In cooling mode, it must be understood that a heat pump does not create cold air; it removes the heat from your home, which cools it.
In the case of a conventional heat pump, this heat is somehow lost, since it is simply released into the outside air. The geothermal heat pump, meanwhile, releases heat into the soil, which stores it until the next heating season. The heat is not lost.
2) MAINTENANCE
A geothermal system is completely underground, so it is sheltered from the weather and requires minimal maintenance, compared to a conventional heat pump, which occupies part of your land and is at the mercy of our beautiful Quebec climate.
3) SYSTEM DURATION
Since the geothermal system is entirely underground, its lifespan is almost twice as long as that of a conventional heat pump, approximately 25 vs 15 years.
4) ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The geothermal system produces at least 4X more energy and heat than it consumes. The conventional heat pump that runs on electricity has a performance of 1 to 1, so it costs you 1 kWh to produce 1 kWh of heating. Geothermal systems are thus more energy efficient, by far!
5) COSTS
The conventional heat pump costs 3X less than a geothermal system. The cost of the geothermal heat pump will vary depending on several factors, such as the type of soil under your home and the type of well you will have to build. But the overall costs should be around $ 30,000.
IN SUMMARY…
The geothermal heat pump wins the comparaison with a majority of the points mentioned above. The only critical point is its initial cost of purchase and installation which is considerably higher. On the other hand, geothermal energy saves you up to 70% on your heating costs… a point to consider!
It is recommended that you do more research by talking with specialists, especially if your home is smaller than 2,000 square feet, to see if an investment in geothermy is worth your while.
But if the initial investment is not a negative point for you, then why not enjoy perfect comfort with geothermal energy, knowing that you are also being eco-responsible!