Science, Technology, Energy and Mines
Earth Energy
Manitoba has become a leader in earth energy systems, also known as geothermal or ground source heat pumps. Earth energy provides the lowest cost heating and cooling in the world. Instead of burning fossil fuels or powering an electric element, a pump moves heat into or out of the ground. The only ongoing cost is electricity to run the pump and circulate the hot or cool air.
By installing a geothermal system, an average home could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by five tonnes each year – a 66 per cent or more reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional heating and cooling systems that use fossil fuels. Moreover, although more expensive to install, these systems can reduce annual heating and cooling costs by 50 to 70 per cent.
- On a per-capita basis, Manitoba installs geothermal systems at more than three times the Canadian average including 600 units in 2006 alone.
- Manitoba now has between 25 and 30 per cent of all geothermal system installations in the country, the highest concentration of any province.
- To date, more than 5,000 ground source heat pump (GSHP) units have been installed in the province.
- This has led to the development of new industry opportunities, including new training and development – 56 per cent of Canada’s geothermal installers are trained in Manitoba.
- Installations have quadrupled in the past four years and are predicted to double again in the next two years.
Manitoba Hydro’s Earth Power Loan Program has helped make this renewable energy technology more accessible to Manitoba homeowners.
Manitoba Hydro will support the provision of loans of up to $20,000 to encourage the installation of geothermal pumps and offer a reduced interest rate of 4.9 per cent for the first five years of borrowing.
Please visit Manitoba Energy Development Initiative for more information.
