Geothermal Energy
Procedure
- 1. Determine whether a geothermal system system is suitable for your house.
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- You need to purchase a heating and cooling system for a new home or replace your old furnace.
- You're looking for a green and sustainable system, and you're prepared to invest in a geothermal system, even if it costs more than a conventional heating system.
- 2. Be sure to do business with a company accredited by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC).
The design and installation of a geothermal system require specialized knowledge of earth energy and expertise in geothermal technology. Familiarity with applicable municipal and provincial regulations is also needed. Be sure to do business with a CGC-accredited firm, which can guide you through the planning and installation of your system.The main goal of the CGC is to expand the market in Canada for geoexchange products and services. It is the best-placed authority to support the development of geothermal systems, chiefly through its training, accreditation and certification programs.
When you have a CGC member do your work, you'll obtain a CGC certificate, which you need in order to obtain a Hydro-Québec grant, and you'll enjoy peace of mind, because you can count on the quality and performance of your geothermal system.- 3. Have an energy evaluation of your existing house done.
- In the case of an existing house, you have to have an energy evaluation of your house done under the Rénoclimat Program. It is one of the conditions of a Hydro-Québec geothermal grant and it may put you in line for other grants.
- 4. Plan, design and install a geothermal system.
- For a typical house, you can expect to pay between $20,000 and $40,000, but a number of factors affect costs. To learn more
- 5. Obtain a CGC certificate.
- If you have done business with an accredited firm, ask how to have your geothermal system certified by the CGC.
- 6. Obtain a Hydro-Québec grant.
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- Be sure that the following conditions are met before applying to Hydro-Québec.
* The system certification application form must be completed by a CGC-accredited contractor, not the homeowner.New house - The house must be a single-family dwelling in Québec.
- The geothermal system must have been installed after May 1, 2007. Both the installation and the contractor must be certified by the CGC.*
Existing house - The house must be a single-family dwelling in Québec.
- You must be a participant in the Rénoclimat program of Québec's Agence de l'efficacité énergétique.
- The entire home has to have been heated electrically for at least one year prior to the evaluation of work to be done under the Rénoclimat program.
- The geothermal system must have been installed after May 1, 2007. Both the installation and the contractor must be certified by the CGC.*
- Fill in the application form for a grant [PDF] for the purchase and installation of a geothermal system.
- Be sure to have your Rénoclimat file number on hand (in the case of an existing house).
- Send the grant application form to Hydro-Québec, along with a copy of the CGC certificate.
Mail
Residential Geothermal Systems
Grant Program Hydro-Québec
2 Complexe Desjardins
Tour Est, 26e étage
Case postale 10000
Succ. Place Desjardins
Montréal, Québec H5B 1H7
Fax
514 879-4807
Important
Be sure to enclose all of the required support documents. Incomplete applications will take longer to process.
- Be sure that the following conditions are met before applying to Hydro-Québec.
