Geothermal heat pump systems
A geothermal system uses the steady temperature of the ground to heat and cool your building with a heat pump. We assess the site, design the loop and the system, and see it through to start-up.
When you need it
- You’re planning a new building and want low operating costs and emissions.
- You’re replacing a boiler or furnace and considering electrification.
- The building needs both heating and cooling.
- You’re pursuing LEED or net-zero energy.
What we do
Assess the site
We calculate heating and cooling loads, and assess ground conditions and the space available for the loop.
Design the loop
We size the ground loop to your loads and soil. This is the step that most often goes wrong when it’s guessed.
Design the system
We select the heat pumps and design the distribution, controls and any backup heating.
Build and start up
We coordinate drilling or excavation, installation, flushing and pressure testing, then commission the system.
What you receive
- Heating and cooling load calculations
- Ground loop design and specifications
- System design drawings
- Commissioning and start-up records
Questions
How does geothermal compare with an air-source heat pump?
Ground temperature stays nearly constant all year, so a geothermal system keeps its efficiency in the coldest weather. It costs more to install because of the loop, but usually costs less to run.
Do I need a lot of land?
Not necessarily. Vertical boreholes need very little surface area. Horizontal loops are cheaper to install but need more space.
Why does loop sizing matter so much?
An undersized loop can’t move enough heat, so efficiency drops and backup heat runs more. An oversized loop costs more than it needs to. Proper design uses your actual loads and ground conditions.
Further reading
- Hydronic heat pump loops
Learn how a shared water loop lets heat pumps transfer heat around a building, how to keep the loop in its temperature band, and the design choices that affect efficiency.
- Snow melting system design
Learn how hydronic snow melting systems are sized and laid out, which heat sources and fluids suit Canadian winters, and how controls keep operating costs reasonable.
- Water source heat pump systems
Learn how a water source heat pump system moves heat around a building through a common water loop, how the loop is kept within its temperature range, and the design and maintenance issues that decide its performance.
- Geothermal heat exchange for commercial buildings
Learn how commercial ground-source heat pump systems use the earth as a heat source and sink, how borefields are designed and tested, and why long-term thermal balance matters in heating-dominated Canadian climates.
Related services
Also in energy and sustainability: Energy audits, Energy modeling, LEED consulting and certification, EnerGuide home evaluations, Solar PV systems.
Get a quote for geothermal heat pump systems
Tell us about the building and what you need. We’ll be in touch within one hour.