Deep Roots Energy
Deep Roots Energy
Geothermal Services
Looking to reduce your energy costs? Consider geothermal power—a sustainable, highly efficient source of renewable energy that is environment-friendly and low maintenance. At Deep Roots Energy, our professionals can install a geothermal system to power your home. Our services are available to clients all across Saskatchewan.
We design, install, and maintain your geothermal energy system so all you have to worry about is increasing your savings. However, like any big home investment, it is important to gain an understanding of the system and how well it works for you. Below is a brief introduction to geothermal energy and installation methods. If there are further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or email.
What Is Geothermal Energy?
Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source which provides heating and cooling using natural ground temperature. Roughly 10 feet below ground surface, the earth’s constant temperature (roughly 10˚C in Saskatchewan) can be used to heat your home during winter and cool it in summer. A geothermal system is comprised of three parts: the soil, loops, and heat pump.
Soil
Soil is where the constant energy from the sun is stored. Coarse soils, such as sand and gravel, allow water movement and facilitates heat transfer while fine soils, such as clay or silt, help contain heat. By understanding the composition of the soil, we can ensure that the geothermal system will be installed perfectly and will run smoothly for many years to come.
Loops
A geothermal system uses loops, an underground pipe arrangement, to capture or release energy. These pipes are sealed and pressure-tested before being hooked up to the home. An environmentally friendly ethanol solution is circulated through the pipes in order to effectively transfer the energy from the soil.
Incidentally, heat transferred to the soil in summer can be stored there and later reused in winter to help with heating and vice versa. There are three types of loop installation:
- Vertical - The pipes are drilled vertically into the ground and usually reach depths of 250 feet. These pipes are then connected in a trench and the horizontal drill feeds the beginning and end of the loop into the basement of your house. This method does not require much space and the soil temperature does not fluctuate at the depths of the holes.
- Horizontal – The loops are placed horizontally, usually reaching depths of 10 feet. While installation was traditionally done through extensive trenching, we use a horizontal directional drill (HDD) to install the pipes. With this method, there is little superficial ground disturbance besides an initial small trench. The pipes can be placed anywhere in the property, even underneath existing structures. This installation is done on homes with restricting land access or uncooperative soil.
- Open - This loopfield is the preferred choice on properties with existing wells. Water from the aquifer in the ground is pumped out of the well and into your home. Your geothermal system then uses the water for heating or cooling and sends it to an injection well drilled into the same aquifer but in another location. While this method can be the most economically viable option, a proper analysis of the groundwater system will be done prior to any loop installation.
Heat Pump System
This is the unit which connects the loopfield to the heat distribution system of your home. Geothermal furnaces and heat pumps have improved immensely over the last few decades and there are many different options available to complement any existing heating system in your home.
Benefits of Using Geothermal Energy
Low Maintenance
Due to the fact that geothermal systems only have few movable parts which are sheltered inside a building, the life span of geothermal heat pump systems is relatively high. Heat pump pipes even have warranties of 25 to 50 years, while the pump can usually last for at least 20 years. Routine maintenance is usually as easy as replacing a dirty air filter every few months.
Hot Water Production
Most geothermal water furnaces today are equipped with a unit called a desuperheater which transfers waste heat from the pump to your home water boiler, saving you 50 to 60% on your water heating bill.
Increase Home Value
Energy efficiency is becoming one of the most important factors to four out of five homeowners. An article by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in 2019 showed that 80% of people are willing to spend $9 or more for every $1 saved on their utility bill. Geothermal systems can add value to your house if you do decide to sell in the future.
Out of Sight
Although geothermal systems may seem rare, a more accurate description is invisible. The entire loopfield is underground which connects to your furnace in the basement, making it much less visible than other green energy systems such as those that utilize solar or wind energy.
Environmentally Friendly
Geothermal systems use sustainable energy within the earth to heat and warm homes with no negative effects to the environment. In addition, home heating and cooling utility cost reductions of 50 to 70% save you money and reduce your dependence on fossil fuels.
Available Year Round
It is an exceptionally constant source of energy, meaning that it is available all year long and not dependent on neither wind nor sun.
Compatibility
You don’t need to build a new home to make geothermal energy work for you. Hybrid furnace systems can connect to your current gas or electric furnace to reduce its run time, only letting it turn on in extreme temperatures if your geothermal furnace needs a boost.
Incentives and Payment Plans
Federal:
Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF)
Up to 25% of funding is provided for projects that decrease energy usage, save money, and reduce carbon pollution. Geothermal energy is eligible for this incentive.
Provincial:
Walk-Through Assessment Program
Payment Plan
Pay a 30% initial downpayment then have your monthly payment after be the difference in your new geothermal heating bill and your old only gas heating bill. This essentially allows your current monthly heating bills to remain the same as it was before installing a new geothermal system. At Deep Roots Energy we are also very flexible with our payment options and can easily design one to fit your specific lifestyle.
