What is a Water Source Heat Pump?
They’ve been in the news, you’ve likely heard of them through energy and sustainability discussions, but what is a water source heat pump and why are they a great option for a sustainable, cost-effective eco-friendly heating system? We’re here to help try and give you all the information you might be looking for. If you still have questions get in touch with one of our heat pump experts today.
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 water source heat pump?
Water source heat pumps generate heat through water, and are installed into bodies of water near your property. They are available in closed-loop and open-source variants. In closed-loop systems, coils or pipes filled with glycol are laid on the lake/riverbed and absorb energy from the water. These systems are usually used in large ponds, lakes or lochs. In open-loop systems, water is pumped to a heat pump that will then absorb the energy directly from the water, used with boreholes near rivers or similar areas where there are suitable conditions.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A WATER SOURCE HEAT PUMP?
Water source heat pumps are fantastic for producing affordable and secure heating year-round as part of a complete eco-friendly heating system. They’re more efficient than air source heat pumps and are less prone to fluctuations in efficiency during winter months.
The heat transfer rate from water is much higher than from the ground, and the return temperature to the heat pump is generally 5-6°C higher than ground collectors which overall increases the efficiency of the system. Depending on the circumstances of installation, water can be more efficient than ground source heat pumps overall.
Installation limitations are important also, for example choosing a water source heat pump over a ground source heat pump for example removes the need for drilling or digging trenches which reduces the cost and ensures the installation can be carried out much faster. This is a great benefit if you’re working within a project with tight deadlines.
Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could also be entitled to a grant of up to £7,500 towards the cost of a new heat pump. This is a grant rather than a loan, so doesn’t have to be repaid.
Some common questions about water source heat pumps are below. If you would like to talk through your options, or your questions haven’t been covered in this page, you can get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to chat to you.
SHOULD YOU GET A WATER SOURCE HEAT PUMP?
There are certainly a few things that need to be considered when deciding whether a water source heat pump is the right decision for your home or business. Firstly, there must be either an appropriately sized body of water, or space for boreholes near to your home or business. For an open loop water source heat pump, you must keep in mind that the heat exchangers will need protection from any debris, and they will require cleaning and inspecting regularly to assure the system continues to run to the best of its ability.
Water source heat pumps are extremely good investments if you have the right conditions for one to be installed, and are thought to be incredibly reliable and consistent throughout their lifespan of approximately 15-20 years. They’re a great option for anyone looking to save money on heating bills while supporting a sustainable home or business as part of a renewable energy solution.
If you’re unsure whether a water source heat pump is right for you, get in touch with our team who will be happy to talk to you about your options.
HOW MUCH WATER DO I NEED?
Ideally water needs to be flowing as this replaces energy harvested by the heat pump with new energy. If the water volume is small and stagnant then it’ll likely freeze during a cold winter, which is best avoided. However, if the volume is large but stagnant, such as a loch or lake, this could still be used as even stagnant water has movement within it.
Our case study, Grantley Hall’s water source heat pump, shows how well we can work with a lake even with commercial property requirements.
Rivers and streams are a great source of energy for water source heat pumps, but not essential. If you’re not sure, we can help you with some calculations during our survey.
HOW DO YOU GET A WATER SOURCE HEAT PUMP INSTALLED?
To begin with, we will conduct a site visit before any decisions are made as to whether you have the correct conditions for a WSHP to be installed. Our team will be looking to ensure you have enough space to have underground pipes laid between the source of water and your home or business, and the space inside for the heat pump and a hot water cylinder.
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 water 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 water source heat pumps, you can give us a call or visit our case studies to see other recent installations.
Get In Touch with our heat pump experts if you have any questions.
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 Water Source Heat Pump?
If you think water 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 panels 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 solutions 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 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.
