Benefits of geothermal heating

Did you know that if you dig a hole about 20 feet deep (6 meters), the average temperature of the earth – depending on latitude — is between 50 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit, regardless of the temperature at ground level? This heat is known as geothermal energy, and it’s a growing renewable energy source used to either generate electricity or heat water to heat homes and buildings.

Thanks to rising energy bills, geothermal is a growing market across Canada, and Tropic Air is the area’s number one Toronto HVAC contractor when it comes to installing and servicing renewable energy systems to heat or cool homes or businesses.

A geothermal heat pump system is the primary means through which geothermal energy is used to heat homes and businesses. Though more expensive than traditional residential furnaces, geothermal heat pumps are nearly twice as efficient with an energy efficiency ratio of 16 – 30 compared to the equivalent seasonal energy efficiency ratio of 20 – 37 for regular furnaces. Why? Because they utilize the constant temperature below the earth’s surface rather than fluctuating temperatures above ground level.

Not every HVAC contractor has the experience or training to install and maintain geothermal heating systems, but the professionals at Tropic Air have your needs covered by providing a wide range of services including Consulting and feasibility studies, geothermal ground heat exchanger design, site work, and excavation, and many others.

Geothermal systems transfer heat by pumping refrigerant (a special kind of fluid) or water through pipes just below ground level, where the temperature remains 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. In the colder months, the water or refrigerant absorbs warmth from the Earth and is transferred to the buildings above through the use of a heat pump. Some geothermal systems are capable of working in reverse during the summer and can be used to help cool buildings.

According to the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association and the U.S. Department of Energy, there are many benefits of a geothermal heating pump for your home:

• Geothermal heat pump systems are cost-effective. On average, a geothermal heat pump system costs about $2500 per ton, or $7500 for a 3-ton residential system. As an example, this may add about $30 per month to the typical mortgage payment, but the energy cost savings will outweigh this amount over a year. In some cases, a residential heating bill could tumble by as much as 70 percent.
• These systems are highly efficient. The best gas furnaces are about 94 percent efficient, compared to 400 percent for a comparable geothermal heat pump. Because these systems transfer heat – rather than creating it or burning something in the process – they deliver about 4 units of energy for every 1 unit of electrical energy.
• Geothermal heat pump systems are extremely durable, with the pipes installed below ground lasting up to 50 years, and the heat pump themselves have an expected lifespan of 20 years or more.

Regardless of your heating and cooling needs, Tropic Air is the number one HVAC contractor in the Greater Toronto Area thanks to our knowledge, experience, and commitment to affordable products and services. Tropic Air has been providing economical HVAC services in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for over 30 years. Our dedication to quality and exceeding customer expectations has established us as one of Toronto’s leading heating, boiler, and air conditioning companies. We prioritize customer happiness by offering same-day emergency boiler repairs, furnace repairs, tankless water heater repairs, and air conditioner service and installation.