Environmental Impacts

Geothermal is officially designated as a renewable energy by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Government prefers earth energy technology because it is an environmentally and socially responsible technology, with no emissions or harmful components. Although geothermal systems require electricity to operate, a high coefficient of performance (COP) translates to a significant reduction in the level of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2), which are all associated with green house gas (GHG) emissions and global warming.

NRCan claims that ground-source heat pumps can reduce GHG emissions by two thirds or more when compared with conventional heating and cooling systems, and that renewable energy systems are key to reaching Canada’s goal of reducing GHG emissions by 6% from 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012.  The source of such bold claims is reflected in the fact that earth energy doesn’t run out like other sources of energy.  As energy is taken from the earth to heat or cool a home, it is immediately replenished by the sun – all without burning fossil fuels or creating GHGs.  The average home in Canada can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2.5 to 5 tonnes annually by using earth energy instead of electric heat or burning fossil fuels.

Earth-energy systems are qualified under Canada’s ENERGY STAR High Efficiency Initiative.  In Canada, ENERGY STAR currently includes the following product specifications for earth-energy systems:

To be allowed to display the ENERGY STAR symbol, products must meet or exceed technical specifications designed to ensure that they are among the most energy efficient in the marketplace.  Minimum requirement vary, but typically an ENERGY STAR model must be from 10- 50% more efficient than a conventional model.

Sources

“An Introduction to Residential Earth Energy Systems.” Natural Resources Canada publication, 2005.

“Earth Energy” Website.

“Earth Energy, Ground Source/Geothermal Heat Pumps, Geoexchange.” Natural Resources Canada, 2005.

“Heating and Cooling with a Heat Pump.” Natural Resources Canada, Office of Energy Efficiency. Energuide. December 2004.