Hi, I'm Kent Steeves from Greenfoot Energy. In the video below, I take you inside a real 50-ton Nordic geothermal heat pump system we installed for a 30,000 sq ft warehouse — and I explain why ground-source technology is still the most efficient way to heat and cool a building of any size.
What Is a Nordic Geothermal Heat Pump?
A Nordic geothermal heat pump is a ground-source system that pulls heat from the earth in winter and rejects heat back into the ground in summer. Unlike an air-source heat pump that fights freezing outdoor air, a geothermal system taps into a constant year-round ground temperature — which is why it stays so efficient even in the coldest part of a Canadian winter.
How Does the 50-Ton Vertical Loop System Work?
The system shown in the video is a vertical closed-loop ground source design. Here's how it moves heat from the ground into a 30,000 sq ft warehouse:
- 36 vertical boreholes, each drilled 350 feet deep, contain sealed loops of fluid that absorb heat from the surrounding earth.
- The Nordic heat pump concentrates that low-grade ground heat and transfers it into a large 500-gallon buffer tank.
- A series of circulation pumps then distributes the heated water through an in-floor radiant piping network that warms the entire warehouse.
It's an extremely efficient way to heat a large area — and the same engineering scales down to homes and small businesses too.
What Sizes of Geothermal Systems Does Greenfoot Install?
Greenfoot designs and installs geothermal systems from 2-ton residential units up to 50+ ton commercial installations. Whether you're heating a 1,500 sq ft bungalow or a 50,000 sq ft commercial facility, there's really no application that can't be served by geothermal.
How Much Can You Save with Geothermal?
On average, a Nordic geothermal system delivers:
- 50–60% savings compared to a building heated with electric baseboards.
- 10–20% more efficient than the highest-efficiency cold-climate air-source heat pump.
Why the edge over air-source? Outdoor air temperature drops sharply in winter, which reduces an air-source heat pump's ability to absorb heat. Ground temperature, on the other hand, stays nearly constant all year — so a ground-source system never loses access to its heat reservoir.
Can a Geothermal System Provide Cooling Too?
Yes. Every system we install can heat and cool. In a commercial application, the heat pump can inject chilled water into fan coils to air-condition a warehouse, office, or production floor — using the same loop field that heats the building in winter.
What Are the Residential Geothermal Options?
For homes, Greenfoot offers several Nordic configurations depending on your goals:
- Water-to-water systems that inject heat directly into in-floor radiant piping for whole-home hydronic comfort.
- Triple-function units that handle in-floor heating, forced-air heating, forced-air air conditioning, and domestic hot water — all from a single Nordic heat pump.
It's an extremely efficient way to heat your home or building while consolidating four mechanical systems into one.
Why Greenfoot Installs Nordic (Maritime Geothermal)
Greenfoot Energy Solutions is a certified Nordic geothermal heat pump dealer. Nordic units are designed and built by Maritime Geothermal Ltd. in Petitcodiac, New Brunswick — meaning every system we install is engineered for Atlantic Canadian winters and supported locally. Combined with our in-house drilling, loop design, and HVAC expertise, that gives our customers a single point of accountability from borehole to thermostat.
Geothermal vs. Air-Source Heat Pumps — Which Is Right for You?
Geothermal isn't the right answer for every property. Many homeowners get excellent results from a high-efficiency, cold-climate air-source heat pump. Greenfoot installs eight leading air-source brands — Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Gridless, GE, and Kerr — alongside Nordic geothermal. Quick comparison:
| Factor | Nordic Geothermal | Cold-Climate Air-Source |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency in deep cold | Constant — ground stays ~8 °C year-round | Drops as outdoor air falls below -15 °C |
| Annual savings vs. electric baseboard | 50–60% | 35–50% |
| Upfront cost | Higher (loop field + drilling) | Lower |
| Lifespan | Heat pump 20–25 yrs · loop field 50+ yrs | 15–20 yrs |
| Best fit | New builds, large homes, commercial, in-floor heat | Retrofits, smaller lots, tighter budgets |
Not sure which fits your project? Compare all heat pump brands we install or read our companion guide on switching to geothermal without costly mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nordic Geothermal Heat Pumps
How much does a Nordic geothermal heat pump cost in Canada?
A residential Nordic geothermal system in Atlantic Canada typically ranges from $25,000 to $45,000 installed, depending on home size, loop type (vertical or horizontal), and whether you choose a water-to-water, forced-air, or triple-function configuration. Greenfoot provides free in-home assessments and helps you stack federal and provincial geothermal rebates and financing.
How long do geothermal boreholes last?
A properly installed vertical closed-loop borehole field will typically last 50+ years. The Nordic heat pump itself has a 20–25 year service life — roughly twice that of a standard furnace or air-source heat pump.
Can a Nordic geothermal system replace my oil furnace?
Yes. A Nordic forced-air or triple-function unit can completely replace an oil, propane, or electric furnace and add central air conditioning. Many of our customers also pair geothermal with a heat-pump water heater and upgraded insulation for maximum efficiency.
Vertical or horizontal ground loop — which should I choose?
Vertical closed-loop fields (like the 36-borehole system in the video) are ideal when lot space is limited or for commercial-scale capacity. Horizontal loops are cheaper to install when you have ample land — typically 1/2 acre or more for a residential system. Greenfoot's design team will recommend the right loop type during your free site assessment.
Are there geothermal rebates available in Canada?
Yes — federal incentives (such as the Canada Greener Homes Loan) plus provincial programs in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland & Labrador can offset a significant portion of a geothermal install. Greenfoot handles the paperwork for you as part of every project.
Ready to See If Geothermal Is Right for You?
If you're considering geothermal for a home, business, or large commercial project, give us a call. Our certified team will evaluate your site, size the system properly, and design a Nordic ground-source solution that fits your loads and your budget.
Call: 1 (800) 380-9384
Visit: greenfootenergy.ca/services/geothermal-heat-pumps
Book a Free Geothermal Consultation
Talk to a Greenfoot specialist about a residential or commercial Nordic geothermal system sized for your property.
Book Your Free Consultation