400–600%
Heating efficiency vs. electric resistance
25–50 yrs
Typical ground loop lifespan
~70%
Potential cut in heating & cooling costs
$12,000
Available via Ontario HRSP rebate
GEOTHERMAL LOOP DRILLING — CENTRAL ONTARIO
WE DRILL THE GROUND SOURCE YOUR HEAT PUMP RUNS ON.
WHY GEOTHERMAL
THE CASE FOR DRILLING INSTEAD OF BURNING.
A geothermal system doesn’t generate heat — it moves it, using the constant temperature of the ground a few hundred feet down. That single difference is where every benefit below comes from.
01
Lower operating cost, permanently
Ground temperature stays steady year-round, so the heat pump isn't fighting a -25°C winter night or a 32°C July afternoon. Most homeowners see heating and cooling costs drop by half or more compared to propane, oil, or baseboard electric.
02
One system, all seasons
The same loop and heat pump heats in winter and cools in summer — no separate furnace, AC unit, and oil tank to maintain, service, and eventually replace.
03
The loop outlasts the house
Properly grouted boreholes in granite are rated for 50+ years. The indoor heat pump unit gets serviced or swapped over time; what we put in the ground generally doesn't need to be touched again.
04
No combustion, no fuel deliveries
No propane truck, no oil tank, no carbon monoxide risk, no fuel price swings. The only energy input is the electricity that runs the compressor and the loop pump.
05
Quiet and out of sight
Unlike an air-source heat pump or generator, there's no outdoor compressor noise. Everything below grade is invisible once the site is reclaimed.
06
Rebate-eligible in Ontario
Ground-source systems qualify for support through the Home Renovation Savings Program, and farm applications may qualify for OSCIA Sustainable CAP cost-share — we'll point you to what applies to your project.
THE DRILLING SIDE
WHAT JL INDUSTRIES ACTUALLY DOES ON SITE.
Most geothermal contractors sell, design, and install the indoor mechanical system. The borehole is the part they sub out — and it’s the only part that has to be right the first time. That’s our scope.
01
Site assessment & loop field design
We confirm setback requirements, lot geology, and loop field
layout against the heating/cooling load your HVAC designer has spec’d — vertical closed-loop is our standard for the rock we work in.
02
Drilling the borehole
Each borehole is drilled to design depth — typically 150–250 ft through Canadian Shield granite and overburden in our region — using the same rigs and crews we run on residential and commercial water wells.
03
U-bend loop insertion
A fused, pressure-tested HDPE U-bend pipe loop is inserted to full depth in one continuous run — no underground joints, no leak points below grade.
04
Thermally enhanced grouting
The annular space is fully grouted top to bottom with thermally conductive grout — this is what protects groundwater, anchors the loop, and determines long-term heat transfer efficiency. We don’t skip or shortcut this step.
05
Pressure test & handoff!
Each loop is pressure-tested before backfill and handed off to your mechanical contractor for header connection and tie-in to the indoor unit.
SIDE BY SIDE
GEOTHERMAL VS. CONVENTIONAL HEATING.
| Factor | Geothermal (Ground Source) | Propane / Oil Furnace | Air-Source Heat Pump |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | 400–600% | 80–95% | 200–300%, drops in deep cold |
| Performance at -25°C | Unaffected — ground stays ~10°C | Stable, but fuel cost climbs | Capacity and efficiency fall off |
| Fuel deliveries | None | Required | None |
| Outdoor noise | None | Minimal | Audible compressor unit |
| System lifespan | Loop: 50+ yrs Unit: 20–25 yrs | 15–20 yrs | 12–18 yrs |
| Upfront cost | Highest | Lowest | Moderate |
We know this rock because we drill it every day.
Boring through Canadian Shield granite is a different job than drilling sand and clay overburden in southern Ontario. JL Industries has run drill rigs across Haliburton, Hastings, Peterborough, Simcoe, and Muskoka since 2018 — the loop field design only works if the hole gets drilled right the first time.
COMMON QUESTIONS
BEFORE YOU CALL.
No — that’s the main advantage of vertical drilling over horizontal trenching. A vertical loop field has a small surface footprint, often just a few boreholes spaced roughly 15–20 ft apart, which makes it the practical choice on cottage country lots and smaller residential properties.
That depends on your home’s heating and cooling load, which your mechanical/HVAC designer calculates. We drill to the depth and borehole count their design specifies.
Properly grouted boreholes — full depth, thermally conductive grout — are designed specifically to prevent any cross-contamination between aquifers or surface infiltration. This is the step we never shortcut.
We handle the drilling, loop installation, and grouting. Your HVAC/mechanical contractor handles the indoor unit, header connections, and ductwork or radiant tie-in. We coordinate directly with them on timing and depth specs.
Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program offers rebate support for ground-source heat pump systems, and agricultural applicants may qualify for OSCIA Sustainable CAP cost-share. Ask us and we’ll point you toward what’s currently open.
GET YOUR SITE EVALUATED.
Tell us your location, lot size, and projected heating load —
we’ll tell you what drilling looks like for your property.
