Ground Source Heat Pumps

Whether replacing an old heating system, a renovation or new build project, a Ground Source Heat Pump can provide a cheaper and more sustainable solution.

You don’t need acres and acres of land either. With many different solutions available Ground Source Heat may be the answer you have been looking for.

How Ground Source Heat Pumps work

A Ground Source Heat Pump circulates Glycol (antifreeze) around a collector pipe, called a ground loop, which is buried in the ground. Heat from the ground is absorbed into the fluid and is then passed through a heat exchanger into the Heat Pump, where it is concentrated for use in your home or business.

The ground stays at a fairly constant temperature all year around once we reach about 1m under the surface, so the Heat Pump can be used throughout the year.

The length of the ground loop depends on the size of your property and the amount of heat you need. Longer loops can draw more heat from the ground, but need more space to be buried in. If space is limited, a vertical borehole can be drilled instead.

Benefits of investing in Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground Source Heat Pumps are very efficient

Ground Source Heat Pumps produce lower carbon emissions than most fossil fuel appliances, they can convert 1 kilowatt of electricity into 4.5 kilowatts of heat, meaning they are 450% efficient. For comparison, an A Rated combination boiler can only turn 1 kilowatt of gas or oil into 0.9 kilowatts of heat, meaning they are 90% efficient.

A reliable and low maintenance heating system

Ground Source Heat Pumps require minimal maintenance and offers heating all year round. The collector pipe is not susceptible to changes in outside air temperatures and provides an efficient way to heat your home or business.

Make significant savings on your energy bills.

Ground Source Heat Pumps are eligible for the Governments Renewables Heat Incentive (RHI), which means you will get paid for generating renewable heat. If you have Solar Panels on your property you can use this free electricity to power your Heat Pump.

Let us guide you on the best Ground Source Heat Pumps available

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a Ground Source Heat Pump installed and how long does it take?

A collector pipe is buried in the ground and can take 3-4 days, depending on the amount of pipe that is needed and the soil conditions. The internal Heat Pump equipment will take an additional 3-4 days to install.

How much does a Ground Source Heat Pump cost?

The amount varies dependant on the size of the Ground Source Heat Pump and the amount of pipe that needs to be installed. Prices start from around £16,000 + VAT for smaller properties.

How long will a Ground Source Heat Pump last?

The average lifespan of a Heat Pump is the same as a modern boiler, around 15 years. Annual maintenance can significantly improve the life expectancy of your system.

What kind of maintenance does a Ground Source Heat Pump need?

Very similar to a normal boiler. It is advisable to have an annual service in order to keep the warranty valid and ensure that the unit it working as efficiently as possible.

Can I use a Ground Source Heat Pump 24 hours a day?

Ground Source Heat Pumps can provide heating and hot water anytime, day or night, just like a boiler.

Can I programme the Ground Source Heat Pump to work automatically?

Yes, you can set the Ground Source Heat Pump to heat your house to a desired temperature for specific times and dates.

If I turn the Ground Source Heat Pump up high, will it heat the room faster?

Ground Source Heat Pumps operate most effectively when they run at a constant temperature. The radiators or underfloor heating is sized to take into consideration the specific type of heat, ensuring that the rooms get up to temperature quickly.

Are Ground Source Heat Pumps noisy?

No, the modern Heat Pumps are often quieter than boilers and many other appliances we use in our everyday life.

Can a Ground Source heat pump work with standard radiators?

Ground Source Heat Pumps run at lower flow temperatures than a traditional fossil fuel system, which results in greater efficiencies. In most cases your existing pipework will be adequate, but we might need to upgrade the output of the radiators. In many older properties, the existing radiators are single panel and we typically upgrade these to modern double panel radiators.

Do you really save money with a Ground Source heat pump?

Ground Source Heat Pumps are the most efficient way to heat your home and offer large savings for those properties off the mains gas network on Oil or LPG. Fossil fuel prices fluctuate significantly, but on average when you replace an Oil or LPG boiler with a Heat Pump you can expect to save around 40% on your fuel bills.

The Government is offering generous incentives to homeowners and businesses who install renewable technology. At present, domestic homeowners get paid 20.87p (as of 1st April 2019) for every kWh of renewable heat they generate. Those homeowners who are replacing an existing fossil fuel system, renovating or building a new home are eligible.

Will it work in winter?

Ground Source Heat Pumps are not susceptible to changes in outside air temperature like Air Source Heats pump and thus they provide a constant source of heat all year round.

How much space will it take up?

The amount of land needed depends on the size of the Heat Pump. Most installations need a paddock or small field to install pipes vertically. If space is at a premium then you can install bore holes vertically in a small garden.

The Heat Pump is installed inside and is the size of a chest freezer. You will also need space for the cylinder. A utility room or adjoining garage are usually the best places to site these.

Want to know if Ground Source heating is suitable for your property? We are here to help

We can carry out the heat loss calculations that are needed to determine suitability and then assess the size of the Ground Source Heat Pump you will need.