When considering the complete life cycle analysis of a well-integrated ground source system, it’s essential to evaluate the financial benefits of geothermal energy holistically, while also examining each category individually.

Ground source system benefits:

Incremental cost savings

It is essential to size the ground heat exchanger correctly to minimize capital costs. The GHX should allow for the elimination of at least one, if not both, of the heat rejection device (i.e., fluid cooler) and boiler. A well-integrated design can also lead to other potential capital savings in areas such as structural, architectural, and electrical.

Utility savings

While natural gas is currently inexpensive, long-term reliance on fossil fuels may lead to rising costs. With that said, ground source systems offer more than utility savings—they eliminate cooling towers, saving millions of litres of water annually, and reduce or eliminate boilers, cutting direct natural gas costs. These savings translate into meaningful bottom-line benefits for building owners and should be carefully weighed, especially since today’s decisions will impact the building for decades.

Maintenance savings

Ground source systems require very little maintenance, as the majority of the system is comprised of buried plastic pipes. However, eliminating a cooling tower or boiler represents a significant reduction in maintenance costs throughout the year. Beyond preventative maintenance, regular overhauls of these pieces of equipment are required, in addition to major failures that increase in frequency and cost over the unit’s life.

Capital reserve/ equipment replacement

In addition to not installing this equipment on day one, additional savings are realized by not replacing the same piece at the end of life. Proper accounting would allot an annual reserve to replace such equipment, contributing to the annual savings and improving long-term financial planning, resource allocation, and operational efficiency over time.

Environmental sustainability

A ground source system provides a renewable and energy-efficient resource that is at the heart of a low-carbon building’s heating and cooling system. More than just energy savings, ground source systems eliminate natural gas consumption and instead rely entirely on electricity, which in most jurisdictions in Canada is produced with little or no carbon emissions. The net result is hundreds of tons of carbon emissions avoided annually.

Resilient building systems

When considering a building’s ability to withstand major external events, the best approach is to reduce demands from external sources. Ground source systems do just that, reducing the building’s annual energy consumption.
Moreover, ground source systems reduce overall building demand from the grid (i.e., peak load), offering further benefits to the distribution systems.

Safe and reliable

Removing fossil fuel burning devices offers additional benefits by eliminating a significant health and safety risk from the property. Although well-regulated, fossil fuel devices require extensive safety controls and emergency measures to protect occupants, all of which can disappear with a simple, clean ground source system.

Why work with Geo-Xergy Systems?

Geo-Xergy’s ground source energy systems are more complex than they may seem. A properly designed system accommodates for the heat being released and extracted throughout the year. Our qualified and experienced team uses quality control measures through each step in the process to guarantee balance and efficiency, ensuring you benefit from the most reliable, safe and affordable system possible.