Ground Source Heat Pumps

What is Ground Source Heating and how does it work? Caron Alternative Energy System - Ground Source heating slinky pipe

Ground Source heating is a way of using the higher temperature retained in the earth to provide heating and/or hot water. The heat pumps are powered by electricity and for every KW they use, the heat pumps can produce up to 5.5KW , that’s up to 4.5KW of free heat. Ground Source heat pumps are effective in winter as well as summer and deliver constant heat whatever the season or temperature, along the same principles as a fridge, but in reverse.

A long length of continuous pipe, usually in a coil is buried in the ground where there is a constant temperature of around 10 -15 degrees, A pump then pumps the solution in a closed loop around the circuit and extracts the residual heat from the ground.

The Ground Source heat pump raises the temperature sufficiently to allow a heating system operating at around 40-60 degrees.

 

Benefits of Ground Source Heat Pumps

  • Ground Source heating is typically 400% efficient, so for every 1Kw of energy put in the system ground source provides 4KW of heating. Our new technology units are up to 550% efficient, providing up to 25% more free heat than conventional units
  • Significant cost savings compared to other fuels, and running costs for electricity may be further offset by integrating this with other alternative energy systems providing free heating and electricity once you have recovered your initial investment.
  • For new build or renovations, installation costs for Ground Source will be lower as they can be incorporated with other ground works.
  • Reduces your carbon footprint with no harmful emissions or pollutants.
  • Alternative energy systems can improve overall scoring for 'Energy Performance Certificates' which form a compulsory constituent of the Home Information Packs 'HIPS' which house sellers now have to compile.
  • Increases the value and saleability of your property.
  • Low maintenance costs, pipes have an expected life of 50 years.
  • Low noise.
  • Does not require external venting.

 

Suitability

You will need an area of ground beside the house to bury the pipes. With limited space these can be installed vertically, but this is more expensive.

The ground needs to be suitable for digging trenches or boreholes.

Ground source can be used with under floor heating depending on floor covering, or a traditional radiator system, although you may need to install extra or larger radiators.

Ground source can be used as a stand alone or supplementary heating system.

If you have insufficient land you should consider Air Source heating.

Our individual system design will provide you with the best options for your individual needs. We are able to design and supply 'off grid options' which can allow you to be self sufficient for electricity, heating and hot water.

Typical Costs

Ground source heat pumps can be supplied from £2800.

Installed system costs will vary depending upon such factors as environment, preparatory work, and the distribution system required with installed costs from £4000.

Typical domestic systems are likely to use Ground source heat pumps of between 8-20KW.

For new build or renovations, installation costs will be lower as they can be incorporated with other ground works.

 

Typical Savings

Savings table

Payback period may be as low as 7 years.

Please see our Technical Information Sheet for answers to frequently asked questions.