Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) harness natural heat from the ground by utilising a network of pipes, that are buried underground, usually in the garden, or a property’s outdoor space. The extracted heat energy can then be used for a multitude of functions within the home, such as: heating radiators, generating hot water, or powering underfloor or warm air heating systems.
Ground source heat pumps work by circulating a mixture of antifreeze and water around a circuit of looped pipe that is buried beneath the ground, usually in a property’s garden or outdoor space. The fluid passing through the circuit absorbs naturally occurring heat from the ground. The heated mixture is then compressed through a heat exchanger, which extracts the heat and transfers it to a heat pump. From here, the generated heat can then be utilised within your home’s heating system.
Ground source heat pumps need electricity to work, with the idea being that they utilise less electrical energy to function than the heat they produce; the pumps have the ability to increase the temperature extracted from the ground to around 50°C, although the hotter you need to heat your water, the more electricity the system will require to work.
Depending on the size of your home, the length of pipe needed for the installation of the ground loop may vary, longer lopping systems are able to absorb more heat from the ground, however the require a bigger space to be buried in. The loop system is buried approximately 1m below ground surface, this section of the ground actually stays at a fairly consistent temperature throughout the year, so GSHPs are effective all year round.
Ground source heat pumps generate less CO2 than conventional heating systems, however they do still require electricity to drive the pump, meaning some impact is made on the environment, albeit a very minimal one.
However, the heat extracted from the ground by GSHPs, is constantly being renewed naturally, and so is overall, a much more sustainable and renewable energy option for most homes. Furthermore, the Energy Saving Trust (EST) suggests that the installation of a GSHP could save a household an average of £1,400 a year, over more traditional heating options. There is also the added incentive provided by the Government’s Renewable Heat scheme, which provides grant payments to households which have a heat pump installed. The benefit of this eco-friendly and environmentally efficient heating option certainly outweigh any disadvantages.