How Geothermal Works...


At the heart of a geothermal system are one or more ground source heat pumps, which operate in a manner similar to a common refrigerator. Unlike conventional heating systems that burn fossil fuels create heat, heat pumps simply move heat from one place to another. The ground and lakes around us represent a vast reservoir of renewable thermal energy stored from the sun. During the winter, a geothermal system collects this low-grade thermal energy by circulating fluid through a ground loop. The heat pump uses a refrigeration cycle to concentrate this heat inside the building to provide space heating. In the summer, the process is reversed and the heat pump moves heat from the building and stores it back in the ground.


Geothermal systems are:

Versatile…
Ground source heat pumps installed by Westisle can provide a combination of forced-air heating, radiant floor heating, domestic hot water and air conditioning all from the same unit. From houses to office buildings to community swimming pools, and everything in between, geothermal systems can be designed to provide efficient heating and cooling solutions.

Efficient…
By using energy to move heat rather than make it, our award winning geothermal projects achieve efficiencies between 300% and 600%. Geothermal systems are promoted by Natural Resource Canada, the US Dept. of Energy, and the US Environmental Protection Agency as THE most efficient heating and cooling technology available. They are internationally accepted as the future of heating and cooling systems.

Reliable…
Geothermal systems are mechanically simple and the equipment being indoors means less wear and tear and a lot less maintenance. There is no chimney to clean, and no need to penetrate the roof – reducing the possibility of leaks. A well-designed and installed system will far outlast conventional heating and cooling equipment.

Beautiful…
Geothermal systems do not need noisy outside condensers by the patio, unsightly roof top units on commercial buildings, or ugly furnace vents. Geothermal systems are quiet and discrete. Other than the lower energy bills, you will hardly know they’re there. An Excellent Investment… Geothermal systems designed and installed by Westisle typically cost 30% to 60% less to operate than conventional systems. These savings typically provide a return on investment of 10% to 30% - far better than most traditional financial investments.

Environmentally Friendly…
Geothermal systems reduce the need to extract, transport, and burn fossil fuels and require less power generation than traditional heating and cooling systems. This translates into a direct reduction in the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrous oxides (N0x). In areas where electricity if produced through hydro dams, greenhouse gas emissions are eliminated completely.