Geothermal heat pumps are one of the most energy-efficient solutions for heating and cooling your home or business. Thanks to the unique design of these pumps, it’s possible to heat homes in the Simcoe and Muskoka regions throughout the winter—all while providing cooling during the summer. This is made possible by drawing heat from (or returning heat to) areas deep underground where temperatures remain constant throughout the year.
We highly recommend geothermal heat pumps to many of our clients; here’s the installation process:
The first step to designing and installing a geothermal heat pump is performing calculations to ensure that the pump provides the right amount of heating and cooling. More is not better when it comes to heat pumps; when a building heats up or cools too quickly, it causes the heat pump to function less efficiently.
To ensure that we hit the Goldilocks numbers—so that your heating and cooling are just right—we perform a series of calculations, including CSA F280 calculations. These calculations are similar to the Manual J calculations used in the US; performing them before installation may give you access to certain rebates because they guarantee that your heat pump will be adequately sized for your building.
Geothermal heat pump systems are complex; in basic terms, they consist of a loop, a heat pump, and a duct system. All three systems must be properly coordinated and designed in tandem to ensure that the geothermal system is as efficient as possible.
One of the most important questions we’ll answer during this step is whether to install a horizontal or vertical ground loop. Each system has its advantages depending on the amount of space in your yard. We have experience installing both vertical and horizontal ground loops.
Typically, horizontal loops are used on properties with a lot of space, while vertical loops are used when space is a concern. Once your loop and system are designed, we can begin work installing them. The next three steps don’t need to be performed in sequence, but they all must be completed before your geothermal system is completed.
Step 3: Installing The Ground LoopThe ground loop installation process is labour-intensive. Our team will use heavy machinery to dig a trench and then install the loop into the ground. Horizontal ground loops can be built about 182 cm / 6 feet into the ground. Conversely, vertical loops may need to be built hundreds of feet deep.
Most homes in our area already have pre-existing ductwork. Some modifications may be required in order to ensure that your existing ducts are compatible with the heat pump systems, but in some cases, very little work will need to be done. For homes without ductwork, ducts and vents must be installed.
The next step is installing the heat pump unit, which will be connected to the loop and provide heating and cooling throughout your building. The heat pump installation process involves removing your existing furnace and air conditioner, and then placing the heat pump in a space where it can easily connect to the ground loop and the ductwork.
The final step of the geothermal installation process involves connecting all three of these systems together and then testing the connected system to ensure that it provides adequate heating and cooling.
Geothermal systems are among the most efficient ways of reducing your heating and cooling costs. While the geothermal systems installation process is complex, the pros at Simcoe Muskoka Home Comfort will handle the process with care; we’re efficient and we’ll keep the project on time and on budget.
Interested in geothermal heating and cooling for your property? Call us for a free consultation and estimate today!
