Ground-source · highest efficiency
Geothermal heat pump installation
Ground-source systems extract heat from the earth at a constant 8-12°C year-round. Highest efficiency, longest lifespan (25-50 years), largest upfront cost. Eligible for the full Greener Homes Loan.
- Free quotes within 24 hours
- Licensed + insured installers
- Cold-climate-rated (CCHP) systems
- Greener Homes Loan paperwork handled
Typical installed cost
$25,000–$45,000
Install timeline
5–10 days
Best for
Long-term owners (10+ years), large homes with high heating loads, properties with land for horizontal loops, and homeowners who want the lowest possible operating cost
Not ideal for
Short-term owners, small homes, dense urban properties without yard space (vertical loops are possible but pricier), or budget-constrained projects
Rebates: Geothermal is the highest-rebate heat pump category in Canada. The full $40,000 Greener Homes Loan is typically used. Some provinces offer geothermal-specific top-ups beyond the air-source heat pump rebate.
- Free quotes within 24 hours
- Licensed + insured installers
- Cold-climate-rated (CCHP) systems
- Greener Homes Loan paperwork handled
How geothermal works
A geothermal heat pump uses the earth as its heat exchanger instead of outdoor air. A loop of buried pipe (the "ground loop") circulates water-glycol antifreeze through the soil, which stays at a constant 8-12°C year-round below the frost line. The indoor heat pump unit transfers heat between the loop fluid and your home — extracting heat from the ground in winter, dumping heat into the ground in summer.
Because the source temperature is always 8-12°C (instead of -25°C outdoor air for air-source heat pumps in winter), the system operates at peak efficiency year-round. Real-world COP (coefficient of performance) of 4-5 is typical for geothermal, versus 2-3.5 for air-source heat pumps. Translation: your heating bills drop another 40-60% vs. a high-efficiency air-source unit.
Horizontal vs. vertical loops
Horizontal loops are buried 1.5-2 metres deep across a 1,500-3,000 sq ft area of your yard. They're cheaper to install ($25,000-$35,000 total system cost) but require land. Good fit for rural and suburban properties.
Vertical loops are drilled boreholes 100-150 metres deep, with pipe inserted into the holes. They take very little surface area but cost $10,000-$15,000 more due to drilling expense. Required for dense urban lots.
Pond loops (if you have a pond on your property deep enough — at least 2.5 metres) are the cheapest option at $20,000-$28,000 total. Rare but excellent if available.
A geothermal-specialized installer will assess your property and recommend the loop type with a clear cost breakdown.
When the economics work
Geothermal's upfront cost is 2-3× an air-source heat pump. The payback comes from two sources:
1. Operating cost — 40-60% lower heating bills than air-source heat pumps; 70-80% lower than electric resistance; 50-70% lower than oil or propane 2. System lifespan — Indoor unit lasts 20-25 years (vs 12-15 for air-source). Ground loop lasts 50+ years.
Typical payback period in Canada with current rebates: 8-15 years. For a homeowner staying 15+ years in a high-heating-load home (large square footage, cold climate, currently on oil or electric resistance), geothermal is the best long-term investment.
For shorter-term owners (under 10 years), air-source heat pumps usually win on net present value.
Get a Free Geothermal Quote
Tell us about your home. A licensed installer in your province responds within 24 hours with an itemized written quote, including all federal and provincial rebate calculations.
Or call us: (833) 519-1833
Common questions
How disruptive is the installation?
Horizontal loop installation requires excavation across a 1,500-3,000 sq ft area of your yard. The yard is dug up, the pipe is laid, and the ground is restored — but landscaping (grass, plantings) is destroyed. Plan for full yard restoration after installation. Vertical loop installation is less disruptive — only the borehole sites are touched (basketball-sized holes that backfill cleanly).
What if I sell my house?
Geothermal systems are a documented selling point — they typically add $15,000-$20,000 to home resale value in Canada, especially in colder climates. The buyer inherits the lowest heating bills in the neighbourhood.
Can I add geothermal to an existing home, or only new construction?
Both. Retrofit installations are common — the indoor unit replaces your furnace, and the ground loop is installed in your existing yard. Costs are slightly higher than new construction (15-20%) due to landscape restoration and integrating with existing ductwork.