Ground & Water-source heat pumps
Ground and water-source heat pumps take heat from the ground or water via a loop of pipe filled with a mixture of water and heat transfer fluid.
For ground-source, these pipes are known as the ‘ground loop’ and are buried in the ground either horizontally in trenches at a depth of 1 to 2 metres deep or vertically using a bore hole depending on space. Water-source can be a similar method to the above, or may be simply water pumped to the heat pump from the supply of water, be it a lake, river or borehole.
As the liquid travels through the pipework, it absorbs heat from the ground and warms up, before returning back to a heat pump and transferring this heat through heat exchanger and compressor which then drives the temperature up to a level that is usable for heating and hot water. Some heat pumps come with the added benefit of cooling, where the heat pump actively reduces room temperature on warmer days.
For best results, the aim is to match the heat load and distribution type, whether underfloor heating, radiators or warm-air convectors, to achieve low circulation temperatures. We select models with top-class efficiencies and responsive controls which mean lowest running costs.
Government grants are available to help with the installation costs of this renewable technology. See our Find out more section or contact us today for more information.
