Penner Underground, Ltd’s Geothermal Systems
Unfamiliar with Geothermal? After reading through the information below, if you still have questions, please contact us. We’d love to show you how a geothermal system could benefit you.
A Geothermal system makes use of the largest source of energy available – the ground beneath your feet.
The Ground
A geothermal system uses the energy of the sun, stored in the earth, to keep you in comfort all year round. Even in the winter, when a blanket of snow covers the ground, the earth’s temperature remains approximately 10°C (50°F) at only eight feet below the surface. This means that you have a steady supply of heat to keep you in comfort, even in the depths of the coldest winter.
The Pipes
A series of pipes buried in the ground. An ethanol or methanol solution is circulated through the pipes to make them highly efficient conductors of heat. In the winter, the ethanol in the pipes absorbs the heat from the ground and, now warmed up, the fluid is pumped back through the geothermal unit in the house. In the summer, the heat transfer process takes place in reverse. The fluid in the pipes leaves the house in a warm state, but after circulating underground, is cooled as the pipes exchange heat with the cooler earth.
The Geothermal Unit
The underground loops connect to the main geothermal unit installed in your house, and is connected to your home’s forced air (or water radiator) system.
Forced Air
As our top performer, the Tranquility™ forced-air heat pump delivers the highest efficiency ratings in the industry. Self regulating two stage technology allows the Tranquility™ to operate at the most efficient speed for all weather conditions. Equipped with an electronic variable speed fan motor (ICM2), the Tranquility™ controls system air flow to assure high operating efficiency and superior dehumidification.
Water to Water
Our new Tranquility THW™ water-to-water R410A high temperature heat pump provides high temperature output (140°F), internal controls, and factory-installed options. The Tranquility THW™ includes a special high temperature scroll compressor coupled with heat exchangers designed specifically for water heating, which results in unmatched efficiencies and performance.
Water-to-water-in-floor
Designed for use in heating or cooling applications requiring high efficiency performance, the Tranquility TMW is the perfect selection. Commonly used in residential applications that require energy efficient water to water heat transfer, the Tranquility TMW can be used to pre-heat or cool make-up air or can be installed as a stand-alone boiler / chiller in most hydronic heating applications such as radiant floors and fan coil heating / cooling.
The Distribution System
Heating In Winter
After the pipes have done the heat transfer, and the geothermal unit has done its work maximizing the heat value of the circulated fluid, the heat is then drawn off the heat exchanger in the unit and circulated throughout the house using the existing distribution system.
Cooling In Summer
In the summer, the process is reversed. The hot air in the house is essentially absorbed by the geothermal unit which now circulates much cooler pipe fluid. The heat is transferred first to the pipes then to the ground outside before returning, cooled, to the house.
Distribution
The geothermal unit is connected to the home’s existing heating/cooling distribution system, whether it’s gravity or forced air, water-based (typically with radiators) or water-to-water in-floor radiant.
Low Maintenance
Cleaning the electrostatic filter once a month is all that’s needed to keep the system in good running order.
Quiet Operation
Pumps quietly circulate fluid through the heat exchanger. No combustion or forced-flame noise is heard. An outdoor air conditioning unit, often noisy, is not required.
Comfort
Geothermal systems eliminate indoor temperature swings and humidity changes that often occur with traditional systems. In addition, the occasional odour caused by combustion of fossil fuel will also be eliminated.
Long System Life
Geothermal units have a life expectancy of at least 20 years.
The Environment
Geothermal systems use a renewable resource, the earth, which is efficient and non-polluting. Replacing a fossil fuel system with geothermal immediately cuts your household energy emissions by 50%, the equivalent of taking four cars off the road. Provincial government recognizes the important role that geothermal plays in reducing home energy use, and have created rebate programs to facilitate installation. You can find more information at: Natural Resources Canada
To learn more about Geothermal, please visit our suppliers website: Climate Master
Savings
No other method of home heating and cooling can match geothermal as a reliable way to reduce sky-high heating and cooling costs. Significant monthly savings are realized after “going geo”, particularly for larger homes and also for homes heated with oil or propane. (Homes heated with natural gas can expect substantial savings over a longer payback period.)
Any home converted to a geothermal system from oil or electric resistance will cut about 75% off its yearly heating and cooling costs.
If propane heating is replaced with a geothermal system, the savings are even better, at approximately 80%.
Using geothermal for heating and cooling changes the way you pay for energy. Because you are taking advantage of the natural heating (or cooling) capacity of the earth, on property you own, you are drawing upon a new resource that is essentially free.
You can use this handy calculator provided by our supplier, Climate Master, to calculate your savings.
Save on Installation with Government Rebates
The federal and provincial governments recognize the environmental contribution of home geothermal systems and their benefits as a clean, renewable and energy efficient method for home heating and cooling. For more information visit: Natural Resources Canada
Environment
Geothermal for the home has tremendous potential to reduce carbon emissions and significantly reduce our impact on global warming.
A geothermal system installed in an average-sized home, replacing a traditional energy source, reduces fossil fuel emissions by the equivalent of taking two cars off the road, or planting an acre of trees.
We live in a time of diminishing natural resources. Most recently we have seen the impact on fossil fuels such as oil, where demand now outstrips supply. Not only does this force prices to rise sharply, it takes its toll on the environment, every day.
Clean, renewable geothermal systems make use of the energy of the sun, stored in the ground, to heat and cool your home or business. This energy is limitless, easy to access, and always available. It is also totally non-polluting.
Comfort
An added benefit of geothermal for the home is that the system effortlessly maintains a steady ambient room temperature.
The difference is simple: conventional systems rely on high-heat sources such as combustion and this means heat is delivered in bursts to satisfy your thermostat. With geothermal, a lower temperature heat source is constantly providing heat. Fewer bursts. Reduced noise. More comfort. Similarly, with a forced air system, by removing the source of combustion less dry air is required for burning. Less dry air. Again, more comfort.
Independence
In uncertain times, self-reliance is always practical. And above all, geothermal is a practical solution based on a simple principle.
You own your land, and the earth has latent heating and cooling capacity. A geothermal system simply taps into that resource, one that you already own.
Freedom from the oil delivery truck, the propane fill up or the natural gas bill is now possible. The only energy required is electricity for the geothermal unit.
The advantage is control over your energy future. That means less worry, knowing that the price of “free” geothermal energy will never increase.
What is a geothermal system?
Very simply, a geothermal system is the most advanced, efficient, adaptable, and cost effective heating and cooling system in the world today.
How does it work?
A geothermal system uses the energy of the sun, stored in the earth, to keep you in comfort all year round. Even in the winter, when a blanket of snow may cover the ground, the earth’s temperature is a constant 10 to 15 Degrees C (40-60 Degrees F) at only eight feet below the surface, all year round. This means that you have a steady supply of heat to keep you in comfort, even in the depths of the coldest winter.The geothermal system consists of a geothermal unit, installed in your house, which is attached to a series of pipes buried in the ground. An ethanol solution is circulated through the pipes to make them highly efficient conductors of heat. The ethanol in the pipes absorbs the heat from the ground and is pumped back into the geothermal unit in the house. The unit extracts the heat from the ethanol solution, then distributes the heat throughout the house.In the summer, the whole process reverses itself. Heat is taken from the air in the house and transferred to the ground, which on warm days is cooler than the air.
See more details about how geothermal works.
Why should I buy a geothermal system?
Geothermal systems savings over the long term as compared to such traditional sources of energy as propane, oil, electric resistance, or natural gas.Annual heating bills are anywhere from 50 to 80% lower, depending on the system that is replaced. Geothermal energy is not subject to rising costs or unpredictable price swings, and is not transported over long distances. It is always available, right beneath your feet!
After savings, what are other benefits of a geothermal system?
- Comfort
- In homeowner surveys, geothermal systems are routinely ranked as “more comfortable” than traditional gas, oil, or electric systems. Geothermal systems get rid of the humidity changes that traditional systems are prone to, as well as the occasional odour caused by combustion of fossil fuels.
- Free or reduced-cost hot water
- A geothermal system will heat your water 2 to 3 times more efficiently than a regular hot water tank.
- Less Noise
- Since the geothermal system also provides air conditioning, no noisy traditional outdoors unit is required.
- Low maintenance
- Cleaning the electrostatic filter once a month is all that’s needed to keep the system in good running order. Geothermal systems have no flame, no chimney, and no danger of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. No more worrying about deadly natural gas explosions.
- Long life
- Geothermal units have a life expectancy of 20-25 years.
Does a geothermal system help the environment?
Installing a geothermal system to replace a fossil fuel system immediately cuts your personal emissions contribution by 50%, or the equivalent of taking several cars off the road.
What is the future of geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy has a very promising future. The cost-efficiency of geothermal energy will continue to improve as geothermal technology is upgraded and as fossil fuel prices continue to rise.