Go green with geothermal

Whether renovating their existing space or building a new home, more and more Manitoban homeowners are choosing to install geothermal systems. And it’s no wonder—geothermal technology offers a number of benefits, including lower annual heating costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, as well as proven reliability and increased comfort.

According to Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba is the national leader per capita of geothermal installations, with approximately 30 per cent of annual Canadian geothermal installations. Since 1990, geothermal system installations in Manitoba have saved 3.9 million cubic metres of natural gas annually and have reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by over 35,000 tonnes—the equivalent to taking more than 10,000 cars off the road each year.

The way geothermal systems work—by drawing on soil temperatures to heat or cool your home—is simple but effective. The system consists of three main components: a ground loop system, a heat pump furnace unit and a distribution system.

Since the sun’s energy is stored just below the ground, a buried loop system of high-density polyethylene pipes extracts the heat from soil beneath the frost line. A heat transfer fluid, which is comprised of antifreeze and water, is inside the pipes. The pipes carry the heated fluid to the heat pump furnace unit in your home. (If you’re installing a geothermal system, a contractor will recommend one of four ground loop designs. The recommendation will be based on a number of factors that include the size of your home and yard; soil conditions; the availability and quality of groundwater; among others.)

The heat pump furnace unit and distribution system are both located inside your home. The heat is transferred from the ground loop system to the furnace unit, after which it is moved to the distribution system to heat your home. In the summer, when you want your home to be cooler, the process is simply reversed and the pipes return the heat to the earth. To operate the system, homeowners simply set the temperature with an electronic thermostat and the system will heat or cool to achieve the desired temperature.

“These systems are effective because you’re not creating heat, but transferring it,” says Jamie Hopkins, program manager of Manitoba Hydro’s Earth Energy Program.

Not only are they effective, but geothermal systems are also environmentally friendly, reducing your home’s energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and harmful effects on the environment.

Furthermore, geothermal heat pumps offer reliability in a variety of climates—perfect for Manitoba’s extreme shifts in weather. They generally stay on longer and provide more consistent heat distribution throughout the home since the air is heated more gradually.

And because geothermal systems use the relatively stable temperature of the earth as an energy source, homeowners can enjoy more even heating in the winter and better humidity control during the summer.

“The ground stays at a relatively constant temperature for the whole year—whether it’s 30 below or plus 30, you can use that to your advantage.” says Hopkins. “An additional benefit is that you no longer need an outside condensing unit for your air conditioner. It eliminates a loud, noisy A/C in the summer and provides even, consistent temperatures.”

Though geothermal systems are more expensive to install than conventional heating and air conditioning systems, the cost savings can be significant—the proven technology can save up to 50 to 70 per cent on your annual heating costs. According to Manitoba Hydro, the system can also reduce space cooling costs by up to 40 per cent and domestic water heating costs by up to 25 per cent.

Indeed, geothermal systems are a practical alternative for any homeowner thinking about replacing or upgrading their heating and air conditioning system. They are also ideal for rural residences and new home construction, which usually has fewer physical barriers, so installation is more cost-effective. Retrofitting—replacing a conventional heating system with geothermal technology—can potentially disrupt landscaping, and home renovations may also be necessary to install the interior components of the system.

But as with any large purchase, Hopkins suggests conducting research into the systems prior to installation. “Geothermal systems are more expensive than conventional systems, so we would encourage any customers to do their homework and become familiar with the technology,” he advises.

Installing a geothermal system is far from a do-it-yourself project—a certified contractor’s skill and expertise are required. The contractor will start with a design heat loss calculation to see if the technology is a good fit for your home. “Research the cost and make sure you’re comfortable with how the equipment will work,” says Hopkins. “We recommend customers get at least three quotes from contractors.”

As an added bonus, the Manitoba government is now offering incentives to homeowners for geothermal installations. For geothermal installations in new homes, Manitobans can receive up to $3,000, including a refundable Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit worth about $2,000 and a $1,000 grant for homes in natural gas-serviced areas of the province. For conversions to geothermal systems in existing homes, Manitobans can receive a refundable Green Energy Tax Credit worth about $2,000.

Additionally, the Residential Earth Power Loan assists homeowners with the cost of installing a geothermal heat pump. Since 2002, over 1,000 Manitoban homeowners have received assistance from the loan and the program has provided over $17 million in financing. “The loan program is financing of up to $20,000 over a (maximum) 15-year term at a 4.9 per cent interest rate,” says Hopkins of the loan, which is available for new installations and retrofits. “It’s an open loan so if you want to make lump sum payments, you can do so at no penalty.”

For more information about the Earth Power Program and geothermal installations, visit www.hydro.mb.ca/earthpower.