Water Source

What is Water source heating and how does it work?

Water source heat pumps work in the same way as Ground Source heat pumps, but rather than using the higher temperature retained in the earth to provide heating and/or hot water, they use a deep lake or a river as the heat source. 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. Water 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, is located in the water where there is a constant temperature of around 10 -15 degrees, A pump then pumps the solution in either a closed or open loop around the circuit and extracts the residual heat from the water.
The Water source heat pump enables this to provide a heating system of around 40-60 degrees.

 

Benefits of Water Source heating

  • Water 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.
  • Using an existing water source, means less disruption as it can require less 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 existing water source not too far from the house to submerge the pipes.

This must be sufficiently deep or fast enough flowing to achieve the desired temperature.

Water 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.

Water Source can be used as a standalone or supplementary heating system.

As an alternative you may wish to consider Ground Source heating or Air Source heating

 

Typical Costs

Water 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 Water 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 from Water Source against existing systems vary but the table below shows typical savings depending on the efficiency and type of existing installations, tariff and current fuel costs;

Savings table

Payback period may be as low as 7 years.

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