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Renewables / Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Energy, explained

Geothermal systems tap the steady temperature beneath the Earth's surface to heat and cool buildings — one machine, every season, any Canadian climate.

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Ground-source heat pumps explained

How it works

Ground-source heat pumps circulate fluid through buried loops. In winter the fluid absorbs underground warmth and carries it inside; in summer the process reverses, dumping indoor heat into the cooler ground. Deeper, hotter resources can even drive turbines for electricity.

How efficient it is

A ground-source system moves 3–4 units of heat for every unit of electricity it consumes — 300–400% effective efficiency, in any weather, day or night. No fuel combustion ever happens in your home.

What it costs

Drilling or trenching makes installation pricier than a furnace, but rebates (like Manitoba's Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit) plus very low operating costs deliver strong long-term savings. Indoor units last 20+ years; buried loops, 50+.

Where it fits

Vertical loops drilled downward suit small city lots; horizontal loops fit larger rural properties. Manitoba leads Canada in per-capita adoption — proof it thrives in -35° winters.

Did you know?

Just a few metres underground, the Earth stays near 8°C year-round — warmer than winter air, cooler than summer air, everywhere in Canada.

400%effective efficiency — 4 units of heat per unit of power
8°Cstable ground temperature a few metres down, year-round
50+ yrslifespan of buried ground loops
2 in 1heating and cooling from a single system
Why it matters

Key benefits

Year-round comfort

One system heats in winter and cools in summer.

Extreme efficiency

Moves far more heat than the electricity it uses.

Quiet & invisible

No outdoor condenser noise; the loop field is buried out of sight.

Common questions

Geothermal Energy FAQs

Does geothermal work in cold provinces?
Yes — ground temperature is stable year-round, so performance holds through prairie winters. That's why Manitoba leads the nation in adoption.
Do I need a big property?
Not necessarily — vertical loops suit small lots; horizontal loops fit larger yards.
How is this different from an air-source heat pump?
Air-source units pull heat from outdoor air and lose efficiency in deep cold; ground-source units pull from stable earth and don't. They cost more up front and less to run.
Are there rebates?
Several provinces offer incentives — check the Rebate Finder for programs like Manitoba's 15% tax credit and PEI's equipment rebates.
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