FAQ

Drawing on the earth's energy to heat and cool

From the Greek geo (earth) and thermal (heat), geothermal methods have been used for thousands of years to construct heating and hot water networks in China, ancient Egypt and all of the Mediterranean nations, such as ancient Rome.

Today, geothermal methods are a natural and renewable alternative and significantly reduce consumption of fossil fuels.

A geothermal solution is a good idea for both environmental and economic reasons.

Geothermal principle

Geothermal systems draw from the temperature constant that is several meters below ground, on average 8 °C in Québec, winter or summer. We use the earth's energy – clean and renewable – to heat and cool a home or commercial building.

A geothermal system essentially consists of a thermopump and a subterranean tubing system for cycling liquid. The tubing system transfers underground heat to the building for heating and reverses this process for cooling.

a) for heating :

We draw geothermal energy through a subterranean tubing system that cycles fluid. The fluid heats to the same temperature as that underground and rises loaded with energy to directly heat buildings.

b) for cooling :

A reversible system enabling home cooling; i.e. the system uses available calories to heat the home when it is cold, while in the summer it is the home's heat that returns to the earth.

The numerous benefits to using geothermal methods are clear.

• Economical and profitableGreen energy, respects the environment
• For every electric kwh consumed, a geothermal heating pump produces up to 5 kwh of heat
• Natural, renewable, inexhaustible energy
• Durable installation that requires little maintenance
• No atmospheric pollutants
• With respect to comfort and well-being, a geothermal system offers : Gentler and more pleasant heating, better air quality, no interior or exterior noise, because it is a reversible geothermal heating system it also acts as a cooling and humidifying system (heating and cooling) and temperature remains constant throughout the year
• Potential subsidies, see information in this section >>

La thermopompe: un système unique pour chauffage et climatisation

La thermopompe est à la fois un système de chauffage et de climatisation avec un fonctionnement beaucoup plus économique qu’une fournaise à l’huile ou au gaz naturel, cela étant dû à son rendement de 4 pour 1 : 4kwh de chaleur pour 1 kwh d'électricité.

Son principe? Récupérer la chaleur existant à l’extérieur pour la distribuer à l'intérieur de la maison. Le principe de fonctionnement d’une thermopompe génère des économies sur plusieurs postes.

• Économies d’énergie donc réduction des coûts de fonctionnement;
• Économies à l'utilisation;
• Une thermopompe est, à la longue, moins dispendieuse qu’un système de chauffage électrique (ou au gaz) avec climatiseur.
• Le programme Rénoclimat du Gouvernement du Québec peut vous aider dans votre projet en vous offrant une aide financière pour l’installation ou le remplacement complet d’une thermopompe à air, murale ou centrale, pour chauffage et climatisation homologuée ENERGY STAR.

La thermopompe: pour une température tout en confort, été comme hiver

Durant la saison froide…

 La thermopompe est capable d’extraire les parties chaudes de l’air hivernal pour la distribuer à l’intérieur de votre résidence. Le concept est parfois difficile à percevoir… Mais il y a effectivement de la chaleur dans l’air le plus glacial de nos hivers.

Durant la saison chaude…

Elle fonctionne comme une climatisation conventionnelle et extrait cette fois la chaleur de l’air intérieur pour le rejeter vers l’extérieur.

Dans les deux cas, c’est la chaleur existante qui est ôtée et déplacée au bénéfice de votre confort.

The basic difference between central and wall thermopumps is easy: the central thermopump relies on ventilation conduits that travel the walls and ceilings of the home, whereas a wall thermopump does not require conduits because it blows air (heated or cooled) in the same ambient space.

Incidentally, we often favour a central thermopump in any home or building where there are already air conduits installed. If there are no conduits and heating is provided by electric baseboards or hot water baseboards, a wall thermopump is a possible alternative.

Benefits to using a thermopump :

The thermopump offers several benefits including:

• 2 in 1, i.e. Heating and cooling;
• Noiseless;
• Maintains consistent ambient temperature;
• Manages humidity levels and prevents excess heating and cooling.

The answer depends on whether your home has air conduits. If it does, then we will install a central air conditioner that blows cooled air in the existing conduits. If not, then a wall conditioner is another option.

Or you can choose to have a wall-mounted air conditioning unit installed in a specific room that needs particular cooling, such as a bedroom on the top floor or an attic.

Electric or natural gas? Central or backup?

Water or air? Dual energy solution?

Choosing the right kind of heating for your needs depends on many factors including whether it involves modifying, complementing or improving your existing heating system or completely changing your system, the heating surfaces and legal restrictions according to the location and age of the relevant buildings, etc.

One things is certain – making good choices in heating results in an intelligently-heated building, i.e. according to all parameters that benefit energy processing for you: comfort and savings throughout the year.

Radiant floor heating is comfortable, practical, economical and clean. It adapts to MANY types of coverings. It is reliable and durable.

A large flat radiator is placed on the floor cover. Radiating floors emit rays similar to those of the sun. Home furniture also absorbs heat and not just air as with traditional heating.

Opposite to electric baseboards where heat rises to the ceiling, the radiating floor's comfort comes from the equal distribution of heat in the home because it is where you live that the benefits of radiating flooring emerges. A uniform sensation, there are no cold areas in spaces that do not receive heat by convection.

If comparing equal temperatures, energy costs are significantly reduced.

A noiseless maintenance-free heating system

Radiating heat disperses heat WITHOUT VENTILATION, therefore without noise and the heated space is UNIFORM.

Finally, the increase in space, allows the property owner to rearrange furniture in the home. Because it is installed without welding, this heating system is 100% reliable and requires no maintenance … no filter to replace either!