What is a Ground Source Heat Pump?
Heat pumps have been getting a lot of attention in the media recently, but you may not have heard much about the options available to you. There are three main types of heat pump: ground, water, and air. You may have heard of ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), but what is a ground source heat pump? and how do they work? This article explains what a ground source heat pump is and how it works.
Firstly... What is a Heat Pump?
Simply put, a heat pump is a heating system that collects heat from either air, water, or the ground, and converts it into heating for your property. Heat pumps work in a similar way to an air conditioner, transferring thermal energy using a refrigeration cycle. Even in cold weather, heat pumps can draw heat from the cool outdoors into your house by using a high pressure refrigerant. The refrigerant is compressed so its pressure and temperature rise, at which point it flows into your house transferring it’s heat via a heat exchanger. During this process the gas refrigerant condenses into a liquid state after which it then flows into a the outdoor space where the pressure falls, the liquid evaporates, and the temperature of the gas falls. Because the temperature of the gas is lower than its surrounding environment it absorbs heat at which point it is then compressed back to release the heat back into your home. As so the cycle is repeated.
What is a Ground Source Heat Pump?
Ground source heat pumps work by extracting heat from the ground via ground loops through either bore holes or trenches. The fluid within collects the heat from the ground and is then passed through a heat exchanger and into the heat pump which then converts it into high temperature heat for your property. Achieving efficiencies greater than 400% (a gas boiler has efficiencies of between 80-85%), GSHPs can provide up to four times more heating energy as the electricity they consume. If you’re interested in reading more about the cost savings, you can check out our article ‘Will I Save Money With A Ground Source Heat Pump’.
Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) work great as part of an eco-friendly heating system and you may be able to receive a grant of up to £7,500 through the Governments Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
We asked our heat pump experts to give us all the details and hopefully you’ll find the answers to your questions below. If you still have questions, or are interested in getting a quote for residential heat pumps, please get in touch and speak to one of our heat pump experts.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP?
Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) offer several benefits that make them an attractive option for heating your home or business. GSHPs transfer heat from the ground to keep your property at an ambient temperature all year-round, which can significantly lower your energy bills. As part of a Renewable Energy Solution, they are also environmentally friendly and reduce the greenhouse emissions being released into the atmosphere compared to a traditional oil or gas boiler. They have a much longer lifespan than that of a gas boiler and require minimal maintenance. GSHPs are fantastic investments for properties of all ages and sizes and despite the higher upfront cost of installation, GSHPs can lead to long-term savings and the investment can potentially be completely offset over time.
If you’re a business, GSHPs can also help you become more compliant to ISO 14001, which is something a lot of larger businesses are now striving towards as we head towards a Carbon Net Zero goal by 2050.
IS YOUR PROPERTY SUITABLE FOR A GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP?
GSHPs are great for rural businesses such as farms, farm shops or vineyards. Any property with some land that will allow for bore holes or trenches could be suitable for an installation, so it’s best to give our team a call or send us an enquiry if you’re thinking about having one installed. We’ll be able to offer guidance and expert advice to support you, and answer any questions you might have.
You can read more about this in our article ‘Is my property suitable for a ground source heat pump?’.
Weatherhill Farm’s ground source heat pump is a case study from one of our farm installations.
HOW DO YOU GET A GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP INSTALLED?
To begin with, we will conduct a site visit before any decisions are made. We’ll take the time to talk to you about our findings and support you in making your decision with expert advice on your individual property and circumstances. We understand that a ground source heat pump is an investment, and you might have a lot of questions.
Our team will be available to support you throughout the installation process and afterwards. If you’re unsure or want to read more about ground source heat pumps, you can give us a call or visit our case studies to see other recent ground source heat pump installations.
Get In Touch with our heat pump experts if you have any questions.
DO I HAVE TO OWN THE LAND TO INSTALL A GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP?
Technically you don’t need to own the land, but you do need to ensure you have legal rights to install the heat pump. In a rented property, this would include getting your landlords approval as the installation can cause some upheaval, and would usually be a landlord’s decision as it falls under the umbrella of heating systems which tenants are generally not responsible for upgrading.
For shared land, such as a shared driveway space, you will need the cooperation of all land owners to continue with your installation.
If your unsure if your property would be suitable, get in touch with our expert team and we’ll be able to give you guidance and go over your options.
Still looking for for more information on Heat Pumps?
Nesta and The MCS Foundation have teamed up to create a website that provides information, resources and guidance on heat pumps that can help you make well-informed choices about the future of your home heating. The website is supported by Which? and the Energy Saving Trust. It’s a great source of impartial information and you can check it out at getaheatpump.org.uk
Considering A Ground Source Heat Pump?
If you think ground source heat pumps are the right option for you, or your just not sure whether they would work in your home, get in touch with our heat pump experts and have a chat.
Heat pumps are a great option and can be paired with residential solar panels and underfloor heating to create a complete renewable energy system.
Don’t forget, through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could also be entitled to a grant of up to £7,500!
Our team are dedicated to adding value to every project and our expert team take care of every aspect of the installation to give you peace of mind. We are passionate about combining our knowledge and experience with high quality products and excellent customer service to deliver specialist solutions.
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Heat Pumps Key Information
- Investment returned in around 12 years
- Permanent heat and hot water
- Bespoke solution designed for your home
- Heat pumps available with thermal outputs from 4kw – 87kw
- Air source, water source and ground source options
- Lifespan of 25 – 30 years
- We only use natural refrigerants which are non-toxic with zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) and very low GWP (Global Warming Potential).
- Typical commercial boilers operate at 80-85% efficiencies compared to 320% for air source, 400% for ground source and 450% for water source heat pumps
- Can be integrated with residential solar PV to provide maximum efficiency
Questions? Get in touch today and talk to one of our heat pump experts!
We Are Here for You
At Pure Renewables, our dedication revolves around delivering state-of-the-art renewable energy systems to our customers. We harness the most recent innovations in heat pump technology to help empower you in producing hot water without a gas burning boiler, paving the way for numerous benefits and saving you money on your energy bills!
Be assured that our methodology revolves around a no-obligation quote policy, granting you the freedom from any undue pressure. Furthermore, our friendly team of experts based at our office in Hull, East Yorkshire, are readily available to provide you with invaluable advice and answer any questions you may have.
Case Studies
Check out some of our recent renewable energy solutions case studies.
