Geothermal - Earth Energy Solutions

Ottawa Citizen Feature Article!

2009-05-16T06:49:00.000-07:00

When we left off in March, demolition and renovations had begun on Kate and Rob’s 1930s Arts & Crafts style home. Now the new windows are installed, the geothermal heating system is in, and they’re in the home stretch…

They thought they were past the “danger zone” of surprises. But nobody could have predicted what awaited the company commissioned to drill down 100 feet to install Kate and Rob’s geothermal heating system.

“They have to dig the hole to feed down the copper tubing,” explains Kate. “It’s supposed to take one day, but because our yard had so much clay it took four days.”

Normally crews would reach rock about 10 to 30 feet down, which aids with feeding the tube down the full depth. But at Kate and Rob’s, more than 70 feet of clay awaited them. “Ninety-eight per cent of installations can be done in a day. This has been the most challenging installation we’ve ever done,” says Mike Parlato, owner of Earth Energy Solutions, the geothermal heating contractor. “There are no hurdles we can’t overcome, but this one pushed us to the limit. Now we know we can do anything.”

The system is called the DX direct expansion system, which is a closed copper loop filled with an environmentally safe, non-toxic refrigerant that turns into vapour when heated. The direct expansion principle allows the energy transference medium to come into contact with the earth through pure copper, ensuring maximum energy delivery. (For more information see www.earthenergysolutions.ca.)

It’s been a year since Kate and Rob first laid eyes on the house that has since dominated their thoughts and time. They fell in love with it immediately, despite its smoke stained yellowed walls, worn flooring and poor air quality. It needed almost everything: a new kitchen, new bathrooms, wiring, HVAC system, windows, landscaping and plumbing, to name a few.

Dual flush toilets and water efficient fixtures are in, as is drain heat recovery, and rainwater collection for landscaping. An “all off switch” turns off all non-essential power in the house. Solar panels will not be installed at this point, but the house is solar ready.

The kitchen will feature a quartz countertop, low-VOC paint, and LED pot lights. “Using a combination of spray foam, fibreglass batt, and cellulose, we are increasing the home’s R-value from 11 to about R-21/25 in some places. The starting value is based on the energy audit we had done before the renovation process started. The goal was R-50, but we can’t reach this because of how the house was originally constructed,” says Kate. They are also insulating the drainpipes, on the advice of someone else, and sealing the ductwork.

Salvaging and re-homing elements of the home has also been an important priority for Kate and Rob. One Citizen reader saw their story in a previous edition of In & Around the Home, and ultimately re-homed a number of rippled window panes from the windows that were being replaced.

Kate and Rob also purchased $300 worth of lighting from Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. “I had cut out a picture of a fixture from a magazine that I wanted, and was shocked and pleased to find it at the ReStore!” says Kate.

The completion of the geothermal system is one of the project’s biggest milestones to date, and has Kate feeling very positive going forward into the last leg of the journey. “Nobody will ever know there’s a labyrinth of copper tubing under the ground,” she says. Landscaping won’t be a priority however: “We have zero landscaping plans. When this is over, we’ll need time to breathe, and just be here. It can be a future project.”

Kate and Rob are grateful to Amsted Construction and Chuck Mills Residential Design for making the process as smooth as it has been, and taking many details into consideration that otherwise might not have been noticed until too late.

To follow Kate and Rob’s blog visit http://renovationadventure.blogspot.com. And be sure to check out the September edition of In & Around the Home to see how it all turns out.

THE OTTAWA CITIZEN ADVERTISING FEATURE THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2009

BY PAMELA EADIE

Ottawa Renovation goes DX Geothermal

2009-04-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

Construction Begins on Couple's Eco Dream Home

Click Here for the complete Ottawa Citizen Article

By Pamela Eadie, The Ottawa Citizien

Geothermal GRANT Increased to $8,750

2009-03-31T05:50:00.000-07:00

To download PDF Click Here

DX Geothermal Educational Seminar

2008-12-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

This is a great introductory seminar on DX geothermal. It takes you through the benefits, cost savings, and comparisons of DX to conventional Geothermal.

To watch this Seminar Click Here!

Demand Heats up for Environmental Energy Products

2008-12-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

To see the full Ottawa City Magazine article click here

WesCam - New Geothermal Partner

2008-12-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

Earth Energy Solutions is proud to partner with WesCam Energy Solutions of Smith Falls, Ontario. Contact Wes Moore @ 613-283-0537 or Cam Curran @ 613-283-9324.

WesCam is an experienced geothermal installer and will be installing and servicing geothermal units in the Smiths Falls / Perth area.

Homestead Magazine

2008-12-05T15:15:00.000-08:00

"Comfort from Below" for complete article Click here!

A Clean and Green Edge Over the Competition

2008-12-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

Ottawa, Ontario - In Canada, the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) market is dynamic and evolving. Electric utility deregulation, mandates for environmental protection, the emergence of "green" power alternatives, and a growing demand for housing and commercial space are signalling a shift in the HVAC market. For builders, contractors and architects, that shift is presenting new opportunities.

Forward-thinking builders and developers have already found that the Geo-exchange-technology that draws energy from the earth's crust through geothermal heat pumps offers an opportunity for long-term growth. Additionally, a newer technology called “DX” or “Urban geothermal” is making its way into areas where previous geothermal systems could not be installed: No longer are geothermal systems synonymous with vast excavations.

“The DX systems require no ground water and can be installed anywhere that we can drill a few small vertical holes. We can put them in the front yard or even underneath a new home. It's a win for the builder, a win for the consumer and a win for the environment," states John Lobb, of Earth Energy Solutions Inc, in Ottawa. "Customers like them for their superior comfort and very low operating costs. Additionally, the life span of this product is typically twice as long as conventional heating and cooling equipment."

Big Market, Bright Future – Urban Geothermal

Geoexchange has been building its share of the HVAC market for 20 years, gaining support in both the public and private sectors. Today, it captures only about one percent of Canada’s HVAC market. Market analysts expect that figure to grow to nearly seven percent in the next decade, driven by the demand for efficient, earth-friendly space conditioning. Current data supports a scenario of continued growth across all market sectors. Over the past five years, unit sales nationally have climbed at an average of over 22 percent per-year annually. Huge increases in natural gas prices are also helping drive demand. People are recognizing the advantages offered by these systems and the impact of that is being felt throughout the HVAC industry.

Geoexchange is currently being used throughout Canada, the US and in several European and Asian countries. The reasons are clear:
Geoexchange systems have a lower life-cycle cost than conventional systems.
Residential systems can actually yield a positive cash flow when rolled into a mortgage – a fantastic selling feature compared to gas or oil heating.
Geoexchange eliminates the homes greenhouse gas emissions.
Geoexchange systems operating costs are typically one half or less than that of natural gas, oil or propane.
All systems include Heating, high efficiency A/C and hot water capabilities.
Geo-exchange systems are perfect for radiant floor applications.

GeoExchange From the Ground Up

Geoexchange systems take advantage of the natural energy present in the earth's crust. Because the temperature is relatively constant, the ground makes an ideal heat source or 'sink' for heating and cooling residential and commercial buildings. The relative simplicity of the system, and the fact that it draws on a renewable source of energy, has generated demand in both the residential and commercial markets-demand that savvy building professionals are moving to satisfy.

"The opportunities are significant," adds Lobb. "Consumer and government demand for cost-efficient, 'green' energy systems is putting pressure on builders. Builders, in turn, are consulting HVAC contractors about how best to proceed. The end result is that it gives both builders and heating contractors a chance to differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace."

Reports From the Field

Contractors who sell Geoexchange systems report that customer satisfaction after the system has been installed is extremely high. But what may be most instructive for those considering a move into the Geothermal market is seeing how fast awareness is increasing. Geothermal is in the news regularly and is now supported by numerous government programs. And now that it can be installed on small lots, Canada’s most densely populated cities have become a whole new and untapped market.

Peter Baker and Mike Parlato, partners at Earth Energy Solutions, have both been working in the construction and HVAC market for 25 years. It was not until recently however, that they began to make urban geothermal one of their core products. After arranging dealer rights and product training, they started promoting their new geo-exchange products and it wasn't long before the phone was ringing and customers were ordering systems. Earth Energy customers range from residential to commercial to government projects. The Canadian manufacturer of the equipment, Maritime Geothermal, has a solid, reliable product which is CSA certified.

"It offers exactly what today’s customers are looking for: state-of-the-art HVAC technology offering unsurpassed comfort and efficiency." states Baker. “Earth Energy offers a technology whose time has come. Our customers consistently say they have never felt such a level of comfort as they do with the geothermal system. These things really perform very well…and inexpensively. We are operating these systems at a cost which is half that of natural gas at today’s prices. And with each rise in petroleum prices, our product looks better. Combined with the A/C and domestic hot water they also provide and you’ve got a very attractive package. Once a builder sees one in action, they realize it can give them the competitive edge they're looking for."

The Earth Energy Solutions team offers Geothermal consulting services and also acts as a resource for contractors, dealers and others who are interested in learning more about Urban Geothermal systems, radiant floor installations and commercial sized geothermal units. They can be reached at 613-839-1700. Their web site is located at www.EarthEnergySolutions.ca

DX Heat Pumps Deliver Savings and Efficiency for Canadian Homeowner

2008-12-05T07:22:00.000-08:00

By Kelly Green

In the world’s seventh coldest capital city sits a 6000 square foot waterfront mansion equipped with the world’s number one heating and cooling system. The direct expansion (DX) geothermal system provides the Ottawa home with 12 tons of heating or cooling energy. Jean Daoust, the homeowner and a prominent commercial builder in Ottawa, said the economics were what sold him on the system.

“The primary motive for installing this system was the economics,” Daoust said. “The engineering analysis for the cost of heating this home using both natural gas and electricity for running pumps and so on would bring the annual cost to just under $9000. Going with geothermal that annual cost would be under $3000.”

The home’s DX heat pumps are an original design by Maritime Geothermal of New Brunswick, Canada. DX heat pumps differ slightly from water-based geothermal heat pumps. DX systems eliminate the need for a refrigerant coil inside the heat pump by using the buried ground loop as the only heat exchanger. Instead of water or antifreeze solution, the DX systems circulate R410A refrigerant through copper piping buried underground.

According to John Lobb, of Earth Energy Solutions, DX systems have been used in government buildings, businesses and residences throughout Canada since the early 1990s. Earth Energy has positioned DX geothermal as a core product offering and is installing the systems in buildings throughout Ontario.

Glenn Kaye, president of Maritime Geothermal, said in the beginning, there were questions about the performance of a system using buried copper pipes. Now, with DX systems in successful operation for more than 14 years, Kaye said many of these criticisms have fallen away.

“Many Canadian contractors have found DX systems easier to install,” Kaye said. “There have been no issues related to use of copper pipe and the consumers are pleased with its reliable operation and the lack of service required for the system.”

According the Kaye, the popularity of DX systems in Canada is most likely related to the large percentage of Maritime distributors throughout the country. Kaye said there was only one manufacturer of DX heat pumps in the United States. Maritime also manufactures water-based heat pumps.

Another factor contributing to the popularity of DX systems in Canada is the ability to install them in smaller city lots. Kaye said the boreholes for a DX system are often smaller then those needed for a water-based system. This translates into smaller drilling equipment and less space required for the installation. For this reason, Lobb said the systems are also known as urban geothermal.

Design and Control with DX Heat Pumps

The Daoust home installation required 15 vertical boreholes, which were three inches in diameter, drilled to 100 feet. The system has five fan coils that provide hot or cold air as required and the home is also outfitted with radiant floor heating. According to Earth Energy Solutions, the system designer and installer, the system will heat the home for about half the cost of a natural gas system and about one-third the cost of a conventional air conditioning unit generating payback on installation costs in about seven years. Daoust and his family have occupied the home since December 2005 but due to Ottawa’s unusually warm winter, he was unable to calculate his savings so far.

“We haven’t really had a benchmark year, but following next winter I will have better records and be able to benchmark it with respect to the initial study,” Daoust said. “The heat pumps are the prime source of energy right now so I have no doubt I am saving money.”

According to Daoust, it was necessary for his home to be designed with a pair of redundant heating systems. The radiant flooring serves as the home’s primary heating system. The air system, which runs continually, circulates ambient air throughout the house and along the windows that cover more than 80 percent of the home. Daoust said the moving air prevents those standing near the windows from feeling any cold coming off the glass. The redundancy was also necessary to combat overnight changes in temperature, Daoust said.

“We have here temperature changes overnight that can be drastic and the in-floor, radiant heating would not be able to react quickly enough to bring up the ambient temperature,” Daoust said. “So in those cases, the hot water is fed to the fan coils, which then supplements the heat.”

The radiant flooring and air system are also independently controlled. Daoust said they decided not to interlink the controls on the systems for a couple of reasons. First, it would have been expensive and the contractors were unsure how it would be done. Secondly, Daoust said he has learned from experience that thermostats and controls often do not anticipate and react the way our bodies wish they would.

“So for cost and for comfort, we decided we would have independent controls,” Daoust said.

Other issues created the need for even more innovative design for the Daoust’s home. Ontario building code required the home’s domestic hot water temperature to be 140 degrees Fahrenheit. While the home’s heat pumps had the ability to keep the water at that temperature, their optimum efficiency was achieved with water at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, leaving Daoust and the system’s designers with a problem. The end result was the decision to bring in a small gas-fired boiler to bring the domestic hot water up to code.

“Because there is a trade-off between having the heat pumps run a whole lot more to achieve the 140 degrees for our domestic hot water needs, we decided to have the heat pumps run at their 120 degrees optimum range and to boost the domestic hot water with the on-demand, gas-fired boiler,” Daoust said.

The Canadian domestic hot water code was established after an outbreak of a mysterious bacterial respiratory infection among American Legion convention attendees in Philadelphia, Penn. in 1976. The bacterium, which is now known to cause Legionnaires’ disease, can survive in water temperatures up to 124 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Daousts also use natural gas for cooking and as a back-up system for the typically frigid winters in Canada. Daoust said it was his understanding that on average there could be up to three weeks of extremely cold weather each winter where the DX heat pumps would have to work hard to keep the home at the family’s desired comfort level. The natural gas will supplement in those instances should it be necessary.

“These little adjustments to me are totally normal when you come in with something relatively new and innovative. I mean, all of the components are tried and tested but each little application has its own quirks and so I’m not upset with these adjustments,” Daoust said.

Though heating is a primary focus of system installations in the Ontario area, the province is also known for hot, humid summers. With average summer temperatures reaching 86 degrees Fahrenheit, the Daoust family is glad that the geothermal heat pumps will also provide cooling for their home during the summer season.

Meeting Challenges with DX Heat Pumps

Economics were not the only reason Daoust said he decided to install a geothermal system. For him, it was also about the environment. This geothermal system paired with an upgrade to new energy-efficient appliances, helped Daoust meet the Canadian government’s “one-ton challenge.” The challenge is a voluntary program encouraging Canadian citizens to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by one ton, which equals about 20 percent. According to the One-Ton Challenge Web site, the goal of the program is to generate awareness about climate change and provide information about ways citizens can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Web site points out that space heating and cooling account for 29 percent of the average Canadian household’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Daoust’s concern for the environment and his belief in geothermal technology has also prompted him to promote geothermal heating and cooling for his construction projects. He said he has worked on a few geothermal installations in the past and definitely plans to use it in the future. Since the completion of his home, Daoust has also asked Earth Energy Solutions to make a presentation about geothermal technology to other local contractors.

“I hope to really showcase this system and once I am able to benchmark it, I hope to be able to promote it to all our clients,” Daoust said.

Whether the system is DX or water-based, the benefits of geothermal technology are hard to deny. Thanks to the design versatility of geothermal, the Daousts have the ability to heat one side of their home while cooling another. The family can rest easy knowing they will never have to wake up to a chilly house after an overnight drop in temperature. Equipped with this system, they can be proud of their home not only for its beauty but also for its efficiency and most importantly, the family can truly enjoy the home without cringing each time the utility bills come. This home displays all the positives of geothermal and the ways energy efficiency can benefit a home, the environment and the community all at the same time.

Next generation of geothermal sends local demand skyrocketing

2008-11-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

When Tega Homes president Spyro Dimitrakopoulos built the first phase of his Petrino Lofts development, traditional heating fuels, such as natural gas, were still cheap enough for him to pass on higher capital costs of a geothermal heating and cooling system.

But when it came time to plan the second phase of the development, due to start construction later this month, energy costs had started soaring, making geothermal an easier sell for the developer. He uses the environmentally friendly feature as a way to differentiate his high-end units from other builders.

"More and more, people like the idea. They just have to be familiar with that kind of energy," he says.

Geothermal technology heats and cools a building by drawing on the naturally constant underground temperature of the earth. While many commercial builders still balk at its upfront capital costs, those in the geothermal industry say a surge in requests for quotes in the past year or so suggests interest in the green energy system is growing by leaps and bounds.

>> Click here for more.

Doesn't get Greener than this!

2008-08-29T10:12:00.000-07:00

A new home being built in Cumberland, Just outside Ottawa, is slated to be one of the greenest homes in Ontario and the greenest in Ottawa.

Click Here For More!

Home features:

Recycled Material - Durisol ICF
Radiant Coolong and Heating Through The Floor Slab
Geothermal Open Loop System
Recycled Roof Tiles

For more information contact Miramare developments or Earth Energy Solutions!