Canada's geothermal heat-pump sales have grown an astounding 50 percent since last year, and the industry is helping to boost the growth of U.S. companies, too. Indiana-based Waterfurnace reported in August that offsetting the U.S. housing crunch, they have seen a surge in sales north of the border.

"Canadian sales were up 119 percent versus the same quarter last year, said Waterfurnace CEO Bruce Ritchie. "Ontario has grown the most. It's up 200 percent."

Second-quarter sales soared to $31.3 million. "It's a phenomenal number, especially if you keep in mind that it's only for retrofits, and only retrofits that have applied for government incentives," Ritchie said.  

Not to mention that installing a heat pump can set you back $25,000 or so, though Canadians can qualify for between $8,000 and $9,000 in energy efficiency rebates. Ritchie attributes the Canadian growth to strong government incentives, a healthier economy, and increased environmental awareness. I'd bet that those cold winters factor in somehow, too.

No matter where you live, you could benefit from using less energy to heat or cool your house. For some climates, that means blazing summers and frigid winters. What many people don't realize is that the temperature below ground actually stays fairly consistent all year. The ground is able to maintain a more stable temperature because it absorbs about half of the sun's heat as it hits the Earth's surface. Geothermal systems tap into this steady earth temperature to create a free supply of warmth in winter and cooler temperatures in summer to reduce the additional energy needed to heat or cool a house.

Via Clean Break
Diagram from After Gutenberg