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Lower Energy Bills
This heat pump achieves remarkable energy efficiency, resulting in significant cost savings on your energy bills.
How Geothermal Works
Geothermal systems use the Earth's stable underground temperature for efficient building climate control, tapping into renewable energy stored in the ground instead of burning fossil fuels.
THE CYCLE EXPLAINED
What Is Geothermal Heating & Cooling?
The central component is a heat pump that moves heat between a building and the Earth. Underground geothermal pipes capture the Earth's consistent temperature. In winter, the pump pulls heat from the ground into the building. In summer, it reverses pulling heat from the building and depositing it underground.
OUR PRODUCT
The Double Hybrid Heat Pump™
Founder Matt Desmarais explains how a heat pump works and how easy it is to convert existing systems to geothermal.
Homes with traditional hot water heating (baseboards, radiators, convectors) typically lose significant heat output when switching to lower-temperature water.
The Double Hybrid Heat PumpTM solves this by running hot water through existing emitters for longer periods and supplementing with a small forced-air component. This air volume is completely silent and undetectable yet delivers a 35% improvement in compressor efficiency.
THE SUSTAINABLE STANDARD
Why Geothermal?
A constant source of clean thermal energy already exists beneath your property. Geothermal puts it to work, delivering reliable heating and cooling, more predictable energy costs, and less reliance on volatile fossil fuels.
Independent of Fossil Fuels
No on-site combustion, no fossil fuels, and a clean path to full building decarbonization.
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Smart Performance
Industry-leading remote monitoring with real-time diagnostics and cloud-based system health checks.
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Longer Lifespan
Ground loops last 50+ years, and heat pumps deliver continuous comfort for 20+ years.
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Consistent Comfort
Even, constant temperatures in every room, through extreme winters and humid summers.
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Higher Property Value
Geothermal installations are high-efficiency mechanical upgrades, boosting resale value.
UNDERGROUND ENGINEERING
How Heat Gets Moved To and From the Ground
A large high-density polyethylene plastic heat exchanger (HDPE) buried underground absorbs or releases heat. The system uses a closed-loop design; the same water and antifreeze solution recirculates for decades, preventing contamination. The ground maintains a stable temperature year-round.
- HDPE pipe lifespan: 50–100 years
- Vertical boreholes: 200–700 ft deep
- Horizontal options: Available where space permits
Frequently asked questions
How does geothermal work?
Geothermal heating and cooling uses a device called a heat pump to move heat to and from the ground. Like your refrigerator, which moves heat from inside the refrigerator to outside the refrigerator, our heat pump can move heat either to or from the ground depending on if the home is being cooled or heated. Energy Catalyst sells heat pumps that are sized for 36,000, 48,000 and 70,000 BTU capacity.
What makes the Double Hybrid lower cost to install?
In most homes, the only retrofitting that is needed is to install new ductwork from the basement to the first floor, but this is a relatively easy project compared with the current industry standards of replacing every radiator in the home or adding ductwork across multiple floors or adding high wall fans.
On average, an experienced contractor can install a 48,000 Double hybrid heat pump with a team of 3 workers in 5 business days. A typical installation is 25-50% lower cost than any other option.
Will Energy Catalyst install the system?
No, but we would be thrilled to talk to you about your home and connect you with qualified installers in your area. Energy Catalyst has a Preferred Installer Program which gives an extra discount to our most experienced installers.
Does the Double Hybrid work for new construction?
Absolutely! Our Double Hybrid can produce hot water for radiant floors and hot/cold air for forced air. The ROI of a Double Hybrid for new construction is between 3-10 years, depending on the local incentives.
How does heat get moved to and from the ground?
A geothermal system uses a large HDPE plastic heat exchanger to absorb or release heat with the ground. Energy Catalyst’s heat pumps are designed for closed-loop systems, meaning that the same water and antifreeze solution is reused for decades. This eliminates the introduction of air or mineral contaminants. As water is moved through the underground pipe, it exchanges heat with the ground, which stays at a stable temperature year round. HDPE pipe has a 50-100 year lifetime.
Ground heat exchangers can be vertically drilled to between 200-700 ft deep. Depth will depend on local conditions and the size of the home. Horizontal trenches can also be used where there is space. You may be surprised how small a lot is needed to drill a geothermal borehole.
Ready to learn more?
See how much you could save with geothermal.