Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground source heat pumps are a cost-effective and eco-friendly way of heating your homes and businesses - lowering both your heating bills and carbon footprint. If you’re considering investing in a ground source heat pump, keep reading to find out all you need to know.

What is a ground source heat pump?

A ground source heat pump extracts heat from the ground outside and transfers it to your home to heat your radiators or underfloor heating. It can also be used to heat water stored in a hot water cylinder.

It works by pumping a mixture of water and antifreeze, otherwise known as thermal transfer fluid (TTF), into the ground outside through the heat pump. This mixture is then continuously warmed by the constant temperature of the ground. The heat is absorbed into the liquid mixture and passes through a heat exchanger, which boils it to turn it into gas. 

The gas is then fed into both a compressor and a condenser, where it can be distributed to the central heating system in the home or commercial building, providing heating and hot water where it's needed.

Is an air source heat pump right for you?

Air source heat pumps are suitable for many types of homes and are the most common type of domestic heat pump but there are some things to keep in mind when thinking of installing an air pump. 

Do you have the space?

You will need a location outside your home to install your air pump. This needs to be in an open space to allow for good air flow so if you have a very small garden, you may want to consider how much room you’d be willing to sacrifice. 

How is your home currently heated?

Most homes in the UK use radiators or underfloor heating to circulate hot water. If you don’t currently have radiators or underfloor heating, you will need to decide if installing them is an option for you. Although this is an opportunity to make sure the system is fully optimised for your new heat pump, it will come with higher installation costs. Although you will save more money in the long run.

Do you have a hot water cylinder?

A standard heat pump doesn’t provide hot water on demand like a combi boiler does, so you will need a way of storing the hot water for when you need it. If you already have one, great! You might not need to replace it. But if you rely on a combi boiler, you will probably need to find a spot to install the cylinder. 

The size of hot water cylinder required will depend on the amount of hot water that your household uses, but they can usually be fitted inside any cupboard around 80x80cm.

Shop our range of hot water cylinders and boilers if you don’t currently have one installed.

How will you heat the rooms in your home?

You’ll need a ‘wet system’ with ground source heat pumps. This typically includes radiators and underfloor heating. Water underfloor heating is the best option for ground source heat pumps and is one of the most energy-efficient solutions available, providing a cost-effective and evenly distributed heat throughout the home.

Water underfloor heating works by distributing warm water from the ground source heat pump into the pipes installed under the floor. This heat will then radiate up through the floor, warming both the floor and the room.

How much does a ground source heat pump cost?

The cost of installing a ground source heat pump can vary depending on whether you choose trenches or boreholes to lay the ground loops, the size of the property and how much heat will be needed and if it’s a new build house or an older building. Other factors that contribute to the cost include:

• The brand and model of the heat pump.
• The size of the heat pump.
• Whether you need to change the current system or opt to install underfloor heating too.

In total, you can expect to spend between £14,500 - £49,000 on a ground source heat pump.

Will a heat pump save me money on my energy bill?

Yes. A heat pump will save you money on your energy and heating bills in the long run while also adding value to your home. How much you save will depend on the system you are replacing. For example, changing a gas system to a heat pump could potentially save up to £1000 in bills per year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Replacing an electric system could save up to £2000 a year, and replacing an oil system could save up to £3,550 annually.

• Gas boiler - £1,302 yearly cost
• Oil boiler - £1,104 yearly cost
• Electric boiler - £3,504 yearly cost
• Biomass boiler - £1,131 yearly cost

Maintenance

Little maintenance is required with a ground source heat pump as the system is closed and sealed airtight. However, an annual service of the system is recommended. Once you’ve learned how to adjust the controls and are confident in using your new heating system, it offers a hassle-free way of heating your home or business. These systems are also designed to be very long-lasting, with an average life span of up to 25 years for indoor components and up to 70 years for ground components. This means they won’t need to be replaced frequently. If something does happen to go wrong, such as a leak, you will need to call out an engineer to assess and resolve the issue.