Geothermal heat pump versus Air source heat pump?

Question

Can someone PLEASE tell me which is better, geothermal heating or air source heat pump. We are trying to make the choice to change our heating from all oil to one of these and it is so confusing. We live in Ontario Canada so cold winters if that helps. I know with the a.s heat pump you need a backup but it can still be efficient...but geotherma is still the most efficient but cost up front his huge. Please help.

Answer 1

In areas where the air temperature does not change dramatically through the year, a heat pump that uses the air will work well.  However, in areas where there is a wide swing in temperatures through the year, e.g., deserts, a ground based heat pump might be more appropriate because the ground temperature changes are more moderate than the air temperature changes.

Answer 2

Go with ground-source.  It will be much cheaper to operate in the long run and you may be able to a get tax credit to offset some of the installation cost.  Also, it's so much cooler...

Also, it might be a good idea to get an energy audit.  A professional energy auditor can tell you if your insulation is sufficient for your climate and what areas you can improve to save even more money.

Answer 3

First of all, be sure that your local government will permit ground source heat pumps. many communities in the US do not. Air source heat pumps begin to lose a lot of their benefit when they move much farther than northern Virginia. You are much farther north, no matter where in Canada you are.

You will see very little primary benefit from an air-side heat pump. you will instead be running on your secondary source most of the time. For most units, that second source is electricity. Electric heat is very expensive.

If you believe that the geothermal heat pump will pay for itself in a few years against using that extra electric heat, go with the geothermal. If you still aren't sure, get an engineer or a good engineering technician to figure your costs, annualized over the life of the units. they can give you an answer in an evening.