Answer: Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) refers to ground source heat pumps as a type of Earth Energy System (EES) which utilizes renewable energy.

“EESs are environmentally friendly because approximately two-thirds of the energy they deliver comes from renewable energy within the ground. This indirect use of solar energy comes from the capability of the earth’s crust to store solar energy. In fact, the earth is a massive solar energy collector that absorbs 46 percent of the sun’s energy that radiates to earth, which amounts to more than 500 times more energy than the earth’s population needs every year.”

From NRCAN's publication “Commercial Earth Energy Systems: A Buyers Guide.”

Answer: A 2004 report, prepared by the David Suzuki Foundation for the Province of Ontario, states:

“Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are the most energy-efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly home heating and cooling systems available.

“As far back as 1995, Natural Resources Canada estimated that in a detached home in Toronto it would cost $285 to $480 a year to operate an open loop GHP and $295 to $525 for a closed loop system (heating only) compared to $740 to $1,295 for an electric furnace.

"Using a 2004 cost comparison, Aquila Networks (now Fortis BC) estimates that a new single-family detached 2,000 ft house in central British Columbia would require 20,000 kWh a year of heating/cooling, which would cost $530 a year from a GHP system, $1,244 from electric base-board and $1,100 from mid-efficiency (78%) natural gas. Hot water would cost $142 with a GHP system, $293 with electricity and $273 for natural gas (for four occupants).”

In comparing ground source heat pumps with other renewable energy technologies such as direct/passive/active solar, wind, biomass and micro-hydro, the Office of Energy Efficiency Technical Fact Sheet published by NRCAN states:

“Although capital costs are generally higher than for conventional systems, geothermal systems have the lowest lifecycle costs, and payback is accomplished within a relatively short period of time.”

The pamphlet, titled “Heating and Cooling With a Heat Pump” published by NRCAN quotes Heating Season Performance Factors (HSPFs) for open loop GHPs in the range of 7.8 to 11.6 compared to electric resistance HSPFs in the range of 3.4. Fuel fired heating systems have lower HSPFs than electric resistance. HSPFs for closed loop GHPs are in the range of 5.7 to 11.2. Larger HSPFs correspond to higher system efficiencies.

Answer: The David Suzuki Foundation report states:

“Compared with electric heating and cooling, GHP can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75% (depending on the fuel used for generation; when displacing carbon based fuels the reductions are at the highest level)….each ‘basic’ residence would avoid combustion of 1,685 m3 to 3,064 m3 of natural gas per year.”

Answer: The first patent for the technology was applied for in 1913. North American installations have been commonplace since the 1970s and the technology has been used for much longer in Europe.

The David Suzuki Foundation reports:

“The International Energy Agency’s Heat Pump Centre estimates that there are 500,000 GHPs currently installed around the world with an estimated 45,000 new units added each year….

"The Earth Energy Society of Canada estimates that 35,000 systems have been installed across Canada, of which 30,000 are residential and the balance are institutional/commercial buildings.”

According to the Suzuki foundation report, the Manitoba geothermal industry achieved a 40% growth rate in 2003.