Ground Source Heat Pumps
What is a Ground Source Heat Pump?
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) are electrically powered systems that tap the stored energy of the greatest solar collector in existence: the earth. These systems use the earth's relatively constant temperature to provide heating, cooling and hot water for homes and commercial buildings.
How do they work?
GSHP use pipes which are buried in the garden to extract heat from the ground. This heat can then be used to heat radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems and hot water in your home.
A GSHP circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze around a loop of pipe - called a ground loop. Heat from the ground is absorbed into the fluid and then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump. The ground stays at a fairly constant temperature under the surface, so the heat pump can be used throughout the year - even in the middle of winter.
The length of the ground loop depends on the size of your home and 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 installing and running a GSHP are:
- Could lower your fuel bills, especially if you replace conventional electric heating
- could provide you with an income through the government's Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI)
- could lower your home's carbon emissions, depending on which fuel you're replacing
- don't need fuel deliveries
- can heat your home and provide hot water
- needs little maintenance - they're called 'fit and forget' technology
Unlike gas and oil boilers, heat pumps deliver heat at lower temperatures over much longer periods. During the winter, they may need to be on constantly to heat your home efficiently. You will also notice that radiators won't feel as hot to the touch as they might do when you are using a gas or oil boiler.
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How the Ground Source Heat Pump system works
Cost & Savings
Costs
Installing a typical system costs around £9K - £17K. Running costs will depend on a number of factors - including the size of your home and how well insulated it is.
Savings
How much you can save will depend on what system you use now, as well as what you are replacing it with. Your savings will be affected by:
- Your heat distribution system - If you have the opportunity, underfloor heating can be more efficient that radiators because the water doesn't need to be so hot. If underfloor heating isn't possible, use the largest radiators you can. Your installer should be able to advise on this.
- Your fuel costs - You will still have to pay fuel bills with a heat pump because they are powered by electricity, but you will save on the fuel you're replacing. If the fuel you are replacing is expensive, you are more likely to make a saving.
- Your old heating system - If your old heating system was inefficient, you are more likely to see lower running costs with a new heat pump.
- Water heating - If the heat pump is providing hot water then this could limit the overall efficiency. You might want to consider solar water heating to provide hot water on the summer and help keep your heat pump efficiency up.
- Using the controls - Learn how to control the system so you can get the most out of it. You will probably need to set the heating to come on for longer hours, but you might be able to set the thermostat lower and still feel comfortable. Your installer should explain to you how to control the system so you can use it more effectively.