Ground source heat pumps use pipes buried in the garden (usually 1m deep) to extract heat from the ground. Just like air source heat pumps thery provide both space and water heating to your building.
Beneath the surface, the ground stays at a constant temperature, so a ground source heat pump can be used throughout the year – even in the middle of winter. As a result they are more efficient than air source heat pumps.
A ground source heat pump circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze around a loop of pipe – called a ground loop – which is buried in the garden. When the liquid travels around the loop it absorbs heat from the ground – and is used to heat radiators, under floor heating systems and provide hot water to the property.
The length of the ground loop depends on the size of your home and the amount of heat you need – longer loops can draw more heat from the ground.
The benefits of ground source heat pumps:
- Reduce your CO2 emissions: on average a ground source heat pump could save around 540kg of carbon dioxide every year when replacing an oil boiler
- Reduce your fuel bills: ground source heat pumps run on a minimal amount of electricity, so there’s no need to pay for gas, oil or solid fuels to heat your home
- Cut down on wasted electricity: heating your home with a ground source heat pump is much more efficient than using electric radiators
- Earn tax free income from the forthcoming RHI (for domestic houses)