Is GeoExchange Right for You?

7 Simple Reasons Why GeoExchange is More Than Just a Pipe Dream

Geothermal energy is nothing new, but the technology used to harness it for the average home or commercial building is only starting to gain steam.

People have been using geothermal energy for thousands of years. In fact, Ancient Romans, Chinese, and Native American cultures used hot springs for everything from bathing to cooking. In Iceland, geothermal energy is widely used, thanks to the presence of many mineral hot springs.

Unlike the geothermal mentioned above, a residential or commercial GeoExchange system isn’t dependant on finding an underground hot spring or a geyser for its heat as it uses the natural heat that already exists in the ground meters from the surface.

What Is GeoExchange?

Sometimes used interchangeably with Geothermal, GeoExchange heating and cooling technology is a renewable energy technology that uses ground source heat to warm and cool your home or business. To do this, pipes are buried in an open or closed horizontal loop or vertical loop system with a pump that draws heat from the earth or a body of water, like a pond or aquifer.

The heat is then transported just a few hundred metres into your home, where it’s distributed throughout the house via a ground source heat pump. GeoExchange can also provide air conditioning during the summer. Instead of drawing warm air in, it will pull cool air in and draw the warm air out, replacing your conventional air conditioner.

GeoExchange heating and cooling is so energy efficient because the ground temperatures stay consistent year-round, even when the sun is hot or snow is falling. Because of this consistency, the heat produced in your home won’t have to go much beyond 35˚C. This is compared to an electric or oil furnace which needs to run hot to heat up the whole house (as high as 60˚C) to maintain a comfortable temperature of 20-21˚C.

Even if you have a large open floor plan or high ceilings, the air temperature in your home will remain steady. Whether you need heat, cooling or on-demand hot water, a GeoExchange system is an eco-friendly, effective climate control solution for your home or business.

How is GeoExchange so Efficient?

Because the infrastructure needed to heat and cool your home is right in your own backyard, the only real energy needed is the energy to run your heat pump. The solar energy stored in the ground does the rest. In fact, GeoExchange heating and cooling technology can give 3-6 units of energy for every 1 unit of energy that would be paid to BC Hydro. The system is also low maintenance. Because the heat pump is installed indoors away from the elements and has few moving parts, you’ll enjoy savings on repair too. Take a look at our short video on YouTube to see an installed system in action.

A GeoExchange System is Right for You If:

1. You have enough outdoor space and/or a body of water

As long as you have a yard with some space and the ability for us to lay the loops underground, you can more than likely take advantage of a Geothermal system. We can even install the pipes in a vertical loop for smaller lots or shallow/rocky soil. It’s an intensive project, but it won’t affect the enjoyment of your yard in the long run.  Go ahead and enjoy your yard! Your customized geothermal loop system will be silently working away 24/7.

2. You’re planning to stay at your current home

Staying in your home for a while after getting a geo system installed will allow you to maximize the financial benefit you get from the system. Even though you can recoup the cost of the system upon the sale of your house, the biggest return on investment comes from the 25+ years of running a geothermal system and not paying high hydro bills every month. So, if you’re thinking about upgrading to a geothermal system (if you’re reading this, you probably are) consider how long you plan on living at your current home. No pressure though, because your new geo system will be saving you up to 85% on your hydro bill every month that it’s running.

3. You’re building or renovating and want the most efficient heating and cooling

If you’re building a new home or renovating your existing home, it’s the ideal time to upgrade your home’s climate control as well. Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation is rewarding homeowners for renovations or new builds that focus on greater energy efficiency, offering a partial refund of up to 25% on your mortgage loan insurance. Offered by CMHC Green Home, you can apply for the refund here.

4. You’ve been thinking about upgrading your heating and cooling system

Whether you have an old dinosaur of an oil heater (expensive, bulky, inefficient), electric baseboard heating (energy vampire) or an old heat pump that’s ready to be put to pasture, now is the perfect time to upgrade to a geothermal system.

5. You want to be able to enjoy a comfortable temperature all the time

Does your home have hot spots? Are the lower levels of your home whole degrees cooler than the rest of the house? Wouldn’t it be nice to walk from room to room without having to shed layers, to be cool and comfortable all summer long and toasty warm in the winter? You will love geothermal heating and cooling. Paired with on-demand hot water, you’ll be living the good life. After installation, we often hear our customers say, “In all the homes we’ve lived in, this is, by far, the most comfortable.”

6. You’re done with paying rising utility bills

If you’re tired of seeing your Hydro and gas bills go up every billing period, you can save up to 85% on your traditional energy costs. Many homeowners have been able to turn their homes into net-zero homes, putting those energy savings aside for a rainy day, retirement or even the kids’ educations. If you can’t quite cover the initial expense, we offer easy financing through FinanceIt.

7. You Want to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Unlike conventional systems, GeoExchange doesn’t use combustion and is very energy-efficient. You can play a key role in reducing your usage of electricity and fossil fuels and feel good about your contribution to a healthier environment.

A leader and innovator in the green energy field, Lockhart Industries Ltd has been pioneering GeoExchange technology in homes and businesses from Duncan to Victoria for over 45 years now. Our biggest goal is to help you live comfortably and reduce your carbon footprint while saving big on energy costs. To schedule your no-obligation in-home consultation and learn more about the benefits of GeoExchange heating and cooling technology, call or email our team today.