- Incentives
Up to $75,000 low-interest loan
Applications are open for Toronto homeowners looking to upgrade their energy efficiency to receive up to a $125,000 low-interest loan from the City of Toronto through the Home Energy Loan Program.
Leveraging Aecon’s trusted expertise and resources as one of North America’s largest multi-disciplinary utility contractors, Aecon Green Energy Solutions is committed to helping homeowners reach a cleaner, more cost-effective future. From designing the right technical solution for your home to installing and maintaining your heating and cooling system, we deliver turnkey solutions built on over 70 years of experience.
Geothermal energy and hybrid heating provide the superior comfort of even temperatures throughout the home and a long operating life – without producing greenhouse gas emissions.
Geothermal and hybrid heating systems provide three to seven times the energy efficiency of traditional furnaces and AC units, translating into savings of up to 70% on heating, cooling, and hot water costs*.
*Source: WaterFurnace
These high-efficiency heating and cooling systems are known for their effectiveness in delivering a consistent, even flow of heat or conditioned air throughout the home year-round.
Delivering consistent energy, you can rely on the earth’s air- or ground-source thermal energy for your long-term heating and cooling needs.
Ground-source heat pumps draw thermal energy from the earth, leveraging the consistent temperatures available, regardless of weather conditions, just a few metres below the surface.
Learn moreIn a closed-loop system, fluid is circulated through continuous underground piping – installed vertically or horizontally – to absorb and transfer heat to a connected indoor heat pump.
Learn moreIn an open-loop system, groundwater from a natural underground well is pumped to a heat exchanger, which collects thermal energy to power a connected indoor heat pump.
Learn moreIn colder months, fluid from your underground loop system carries heat inside. Your indoor heat pump then distributes it effectively throughout the home.
Learn moreIn warmer months, your indoor heat pump pulls heat from your home and circulates it back into the ground, which regulates the temperature of the fluid in your loop system.
Learn more“Hybrid heating” refers to using two energy sources: a highly efficient, electric air-source heat pump for most of your heating and cooling needs and a backup furnace.
Learn moreAn electric air-source heat pump sits outside the home and resembles an AC unit. In winter, it draws thermal energy from the outdoor temperatures and uses electricity to convert that energy into heat to be distributed around the home. In summer, it uses thermal energy to remove heat and distribute conditioned air around the home.
Learn moreWhen temperatures drop below -15 to -30 °C (depending on your chosen heat pump) or electricity prices peak, your furnace steps in to provide backup heating.
Learn moreUsing smart control technology, a hybrid heating system automatically switches between your heat pump and furnace to distribute heat and conditioned air throughout your home for maximum efficiency, minimum utility costs, and reduced carbon emissions.
Learn moreYour new electric air-source heat pump and smart climate control technology can be retrofitted to work with any existing traditional furnace or combination HVAC system and decrease upfront costs.
Learn moreLet us know! Our heating and cooling specialists are standing by to answer your questions or advise on available incentives in your area, as well as the suitability of hybrid heating or geothermal energy for your home.
In Barrie, Ontario, Sean Mason homes signed up for Enbridge Sustain’s end to end energy solutioning (including design, installation, financing and maintenance) to offer geothermal to its customers in a new development. Enbridge Sustain called upon Aecon Green Energy Solutions to leverage its unique mobile drilling solution to deliver an effective geothermal energy installation in this neighbourhood development.
Natural Resources Canada offers homeowners nationwide up to $40,000 interest-free financing for major energy efficiency retrofits through the Canada Greener Homes Loan program.
Applications are open for Toronto homeowners looking to upgrade their energy efficiency to receive up to a $125,000 low-interest loan from the City of Toronto through the Home Energy Loan Program.
Natural Resources Canada offers homeowners nationwide up to $40,000 interest-free financing for major energy efficiency retrofits through the Canada Greener Homes Loan program. Find out if your home is eligible.
Provide our team with a few details about your home and one of our specialists will be in touch to discuss your FREE Assessment!
Both ground- and air-source heat pumps draw renewable, naturally occurring thermal energy from the earth. A ground-source, or geothermal heat pump (GHP), draws energy from the consistent temperature of shallow earth just a few metres underground. An air-source heat pump draws energy from the fluctuating temperatures of the outside air. Electricity is then used to power the heat pump (ground- or air-source) to convert this thermal energy into heating or cooling.
Geothermal (ground-source) heat pumps use the consistent temperature of shallow earth just a few metres underground to provide an energy-efficient solution for heating and cooling. Geothermal systems require access to underground depths below a certain level – typically two to three metres – where the earth is insulated from seasonal temperature variations. At these depths, thermal energy is stored in the ground, which allows geothermal heat pumps to act as a heat sink that absorbs heat during summer. It then acts as a heat source when surface temperatures are lower during winter.
Many types of heat pumps are available, and technology continues to become more effective and efficient. Today, there are air-source heat pumps specifically designed for cold climates. These Cold Climate Heat Pumps can deliver heating and cooling at outdoor temperatures down to -30°C. For most Canadians, a backup furnace is only required for less than ten days per year.
Modern air-source heat pumps will run for up to 20 years, while ground-source heat pumps, installed indoors and protected from the weather, will run for up to 25 years. The underground infrastructure for geothermal energy can last up to 75 years!
Geothermal systems are considered “whisper quiet” because the outdoor infrastructure is installed underground, and the rest of the system is located inside the home – typically in a furnace room. This setup means you can enjoy your outdoor living space without the hum of a noisy heating or cooling unit.
Installing your geothermal system takes longer than most green energy systems because it must be completed in two phases. The first step is installing the underground infrastructure, which takes place outside. This work requires some drilling and excavation of your property – the scope of which will be determined during your design process. The next phase happens inside the home. Our team will return to install your new ground-source heat pump, typically in the same place where your furnace used to be, and connect this to your underground system.
This process is much simpler than a geothermal energy installation. Hybrid heating involves installing an outdoor unit (which looks much like an AC unit) and an indoor heat exchanger – typically in your furnace room. The installation of these two pieces of equipment can be completed over one to two days.
Absolutely! Geothermal systems are designed as a standalone upgrade, utilizing your current ductwork for a hassle-free transition. While the underground infrastructure and geothermal heat pump are new, the integration is straightforward – ensuring your environmentally-friendly heating and cooling is effective and efficient.
If you already have ductwork, your new heat pump will seamlessly connect to the existing forced-air system and help to minimize installation costs. If you have a central air conditioner, the process is even more straightforward – your new heat pump will utilize the existing electrical connections and running for your wiring and refrigerant lines.
Geothermal and hybrid heating systems are known for their effectiveness in delivering a consistent, even flow of heat or conditioned air throughout the home. One way to increase the efficiency of your system even further is to pair it with radiant floor heating. Unlike forced air, radiant floor heating – which sends a heated liquid solution through a system of piping installed just beneath your floor – keeps heat between the floor and eye level. This dynamic means you won’t need to produce as much thermal energy as you would with a forced air system, where you must produce excess heating to compensate for heat naturally rising to the ceiling.
Little maintenance is required for geothermal systems. When properly installed, your underground infrastructure (open- or closed-loop) can last well beyond a lifetime. The indoor components, including the fan, compressor, and electric heat pump, can last many years with proper care. Regular checks, filter changes, and annual coil cleanings are the only required maintenance in most circumstances.
Regular maintenance is essential for hybrid heating systems (air-source heat pumps and furnaces) to maintain peak performance and long-term durability. Maintenance tasks may involve filter replacement, monitoring refrigerant levels, and inspections – much the same as furnace maintenance.
The cost of your geothermal system installation will depend on several factors, which you will work through with our team during your Assessment, site review, and the design process. Cost is influenced by considerations such as the size of equipment required to support your heating and cooling needs, the type of underground infrastructure most appropriate (open- or closed-loop, vertical or horizontal loop installation, etc.), and any additional functionality you want the system to incorporate, such as radiant floor heating or water heating.
Geothermal systems typically have low operating costs. Operating costs, however, can be influenced by three key factors: your preferences for indoor temperature, the quality of your insulation, and the efficiency of the exterior envelope of your building. Regular maintenance of your indoor equipment will ensure optimal performance and cost-effectiveness over time. During the design process, our specialists will provide a comprehensive report that compares annual operating costs for different equipment options to help you design the right system for your needs and preferences.
The most sustainable and environmentally friendly way to heat and cool your home is with a geothermal system (with a ground-source heat pump) or hybrid heating (which uses an electric air-source heat pump for most of your home comfort needs). Heat pumps run on electricity to convert thermal energy into heating and cooling for the home. On the other hand, traditional furnaces and AC units operate by burning fossil fuels such as natural gas. A heat pump emits no direct carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or other greenhouse gases.
Your transition to more energy-efficient heating and cooling technology has significant tangible benefits for the planet. Given our cold climate, space heating accounts for more than 63% of the energy used in the average Canadian home. In the case of hybrid heating, using renewable thermal energy from the air combined with electricity can reduce your emissions of harmful greenhouse gases (GHG) by up to 30%, compared to a standalone natural gas furnace. On the other hand, a geothermal system provides an even further reduction, cutting your GHG emissions by up to two-thirds compared to traditional heating and cooling systems.
Transitioning retail, commercial, or industrial buildings to more efficient and cost-effective heating and cooling systems.
End-to-end solutions for green heating and cooling in retrofitted or new-build housing developments and condominiums.
Reliable contractor supporting your institutional or educational facilities in reaching a net zero future.
Working together to help your business and customers move toward more sustainable heating and cooling.