Purchase and install a new ground source heat pump in Ontario to receive up to $10,000.
Keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer while saving energy with a new ground source heat pump system from your local GeoSmart dealer.
The HomeEnergySaver program offers incentives to Ontario homeowners with electrically heated homes located in eligible areas (see below) to purchase and install a ground source heat pump.
What are heat pumps?
Heat pumps are energy efficient and environmentally friendly heating and cooling systems that can help save energy.
Energy efficient and environmentally friendly, ground source heat pumps are becoming an increasingly popular option to heat and cool homes. This guide will help you understand how ground source heat pumps work, get familiar with their features and ask the right questions to decide if you should make the switch.
Why should I consider a ground source heat pump?
A heat pump is an all-in-one heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solution for every season. It’s a high-efficiency system that extracts heat energy from the air and moves it either inside or outside your home.
If you’re considering making the switch to a heat pump, here are some key benefits to keep in mind.
They are energy efficient
Moving heat takes a lot less energy than generating it. This is why ground source heat pumps are much more efficient than systems that use combustion to produce heat (such as burning oil, gas or propane), or that generate heat through electric resistance (such as electric baseboards or electric furnaces).
They are versatile
Heat pumps don’t just heat. They also cool, dehumidify and filter dust and allergens from the air—keeping your home comfortable year round.
They are environmentally sustainable
Ground source heat pumps use less energy, which means lower greenhouse gas emissions, making them an HVAC option that’s better for the planet.
They are cost-effective
A more energy-efficient heating and cooling system can put more money in your pocket. When switching to a ground source heat pump, your energy savings will depend on many factors, such as the overall energy efficiency of your home, what type of system you’re switching from, and more. Your GeoSmart HVAC contractor should be able to help you make an informed decision about the most cost-effective choice for your home.
They are flexible
Ground source heat pump systems with zoning can keep different rooms in your home at different temperatures. And with both ducted and ductless varieties, ground source heat pumps are flexible enough to work in most homes to ensure maximum comfort.
The most efficient type of heat pump
Geothermal/ground-source heat pumps
- Absorb and transfer heat from the ground.
- Benefit from a consistent underground temperature.
- Use half the energy of ASHP.
- Can heat your home on the coldest day of the year with no backup.
- Simple and cost effective excavation to install.
Water-source heat pumps
- Absorb and transfer heat from a nearby body of water, such as a lake or pond.
How do ground source heat pumps work?
Ground source heat pumps are a very common heat pump choice for residential heating and cooling. Here’s how they work.
A typical ground source heat pump is made up of a simple underground loop system connected to an indoor heat pump unit. In the winter, the heat pump unit absorbs its heat from the underground loop and transfers it to a refrigerant circuit. A combination of temperature and pressure transforms this refrigerant into a gas. The gas then passes through a compressor to increase its temperature further, and the resulting heat is transferred into your home through ductwork.
This process reverses in the summer. The heat pump absorbs heat from inside your home and transfers it to the underground loop, becoming the most efficient and high-efficiency air conditioner and dehumidifier available today.
Worried about Ontario winters?
Unlike an air source heat pump that can’t produce enough heat when it is cold outside, a ground source heat pump is not affected by outdoor air temperature. No matter what is happening outside, the ground source unit has a stable source of energy underground, allowing it to efficiently heat your home even if it is -50C outside!
What to consider before buying
If you’re considering a ground source heat pump for your home, there are a few important questions to ask yourself.
What’s involved in making the switch?
Installing a heat pump is more complex than simply replacing your existing furnace, boiler, baseboards, or other HVAC system. It may involve modifying ductwork and wiring, as well as finding space for your underground loop system.
If you live in an older home, you should install other energy-efficiency measures first to reduce your heating load. This could include new insulation, air sealing and more. By limiting heat loss from air leaks or thin insulation, you’ll get the most out of your heat pump and may even be able to opt for a smaller, more affordable unit.
Two stage or variable speed?
A two-stage heat pump is the most basic system available. It uses a simple on/off cycle that is triggered when the temperature dips below a set point, if the temperature dips more, then it increases to second stage allowing it to deliver more heat. This give you very good temperature control.
A variable-speed heat pump is the most advanced system available. It is able to monitor and adjust to a full range of speeds to maintain the desired indoor temperature. Since it only uses as much power as it needs, it is the most energy-efficient option.
Are rebates available?
Be sure to check for other provincial or federal programs that offset the cost of energy-efficiency upgrades for homeowners.
Did you know?
Ground Source Heat pump technology has been around for a long time. In fact, it has been almost 100 years since the first water source heat pump was used for space heating.
Eligible Areas for Ground Source Heat Pump Incentive in Ontario:
| Barrie/Muskoka | L0M, L3V, L4M, L4N, P0A, P0B, P0C, P0E, P0G, P0K, P1H, P1L, P1P, P2A |
| Elmira | N0B, N3B |
| Kenora | P0X, P9N |
| Kingston Area | K7G, K7K, K7L, K7M, K7N, K7P |
| Mississauga/Brampton | L5C, L5E, L6Z |
| Niagara Region | L0S, L2A, L2E, L2G, L2H, L2J, L2M, L2N, L2P, L2R, L2S, L2T, L2V, L2W, L3B, L3C, L3K, L3M, N1A, portions of L0R |
| Ottawa | K1A, K1B, K1C, K1E, K1G, K1H, K1J, K1K, K1L, K1M, K1N, K1P, K1R, K1S, K1T, K1V, K1W, K1X, K1Y, K1Z, K2A, K2B, K2C, K2E, K2G, K2H, K2J, K2K, K2L, K2M, K2P, K2R, K2S, K2T, K2V, K2W, K4A, K4B, K4M, K4P |
| Pembroke Area | K8A, K8B, K8H |
| Peterborough/Belleville | K0J, K0L, K0M, K8N, K8P, K8V |
| Southern Huron Perth | N0K, N0L, N0M, N4X |
| Toronto | M5E, M5H, M5J, M5K, M5L, M5M, M5N, M5P, M5T, M5V, M6A, M6B, M6C, M6E, M6G, M6H, M6J, M6K, M6L, M6M, M6N, M6P, M6S, M8V, M8W, M8X, M8Y, M8Z, M9A, M9B, M9C, M1P, M4M, M4A, M4C, M1V, M2M, M1B, M1G, M4N, M4R, M9L, M4G, M1X, M2H, M3H, M1L, M5A, M5G, M9R, M9V, M9W, M4Y, M4V, M1C, M1E, M1H, M1J, M1K, M1M, M1N, M1R, M1S, M1T, M1W, M2J, M2K, M2L, M2N, M2P, M2R, M3A, M3B, M3C, M3J, M3K, M3L, M3M, M3N, M4B, M4E, M4H, M4J, M4K, M4L, M4P, M4S, M4T, M4W, M4X, M5B, M5C, M5R, M5S, M5W, M5X, M6R, M7A, M7Y, M9M, M9N, M9P |
| Waubaushene | L0K, L0L, L4R, L9M |
| Windsor Essex | N0P, N0R, N8H, N8M, N8N, N8P, N8R, N8S, N8T, N8V, N8W, N8X, N8Y, N9A, N9B, N9C, N9E, N9G, N9H, N9J, N9K, N9V, N9Y |
| York Region | L3R, L3T, L4B, L4C, L4S, L6B, L6C, L6E, L3P, L4E, L7B, L4H, L4K, L0J, L4L, L4C, L7B, L6A, L3L, L4G, L4J, L6G |