What is a Ground Source Heat Pump?
Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) use pipes that are buried in your 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.
Changing to a Ground Source Heat Pump allows you to produce your own renewable heat which could result in lower energy bills.
How does a Ground Source Heat Pump work?
A Ground Source Heat Pump uses loops of pipe which are buried in the ground in the homeowner’s garden. Inside the pipe is a mixture of water and antifreeze.
The temperature of the ground is generally around 8 – 12 degrees and significantly warmer than the air temperature during the winter. This heat is absorbed from the ground into the cold liquid inside the pipe, next it is passed to a refrigerant where it is compressed which raises the temperature.
Now a heat exchanger extracts the heat and transfers it to radiators, underfloor heating and your hot water system.
Benefits of Ground Source Source Heat Pumps
Why should you consider upgrading your current heating system and installing a Ground Source Heat Pump?
Check out below the benefits you could start taking advantage of.
The running cost of a ground source heat pump is a lot lower than direct electric heating systems. This is because the only part that requires electric energy is the compressor.
Furthermore, their energy output is around 3-4 times that of the energy needed to operate.
Ground Source Heat Pumps don’t produce any carbon emissions on site or require the use of fossil fuels. If you were to use a renewable electricity source this would cut all emissions.
This means you can greatly reduce your carbon footprint and your effect on the environment.
Eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
You could be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This scheme is an incentive for homeowners to lower their carbon emissions and move away from the use of fossil fuels. The scheme supports homeowners to pay for the cost of installing low-carbon heating systems.
Homeowners can apply for grants of up to £6,000 for the installation of a Ground Source Heat Pump.
Renewable Heat Incentive
If you are looking to install a Ground Source Heat Pump for a commercial building e.g. an office you could be eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive.
This is a financial scheme to encourage business owners to switch to GSHPs to heat their commercial buildings. For the next 20 years, Ofgem are offering pay 9.36p per kW-hr produced on a quarterly basis.
Low Maintenance & Long Lifespan
Generally, ground-source heat pumps require little maintenance. however, it is recommended that you have your heat pump serviced every year to make sure it is running at maximum efficiency.
Furthermore a good quality GSHP can have a lifespan of more than 20 years.
Solitaire also offer other renewable ways to heat your home.
Air Source Heat Pumps
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) absorb heat from the outside air to heat your home and hot water. They can still extract heat when air temperatures are as low as -15°C.
Solar Assisted Heat Pumps
In comparison to other Solar systems, Solar Assisted Heat Pumps utilise Heat Pump and Solar principles, meaning they work both day and night to heat your hot water whenever its needed
