Heat pumps
Heat pumps are renewable energy products which either extract heat from the ground or absorb heat from the outside air which can then be used to heat radiators, or provide underfloor warm air heating systems and hot water in your home.
The department of Trade and Industry is funding an initiative called the Low Carbon Buildings Programme which offers a grant of up to £1,200 towards the cost of a heat pump installation. For more information, please call us on 01564 829800 or complete our online enquiry form.
Ground source heat pumps
A ground source heat pump is an electrically powered system which uses pipes buried in the garden to extract heat from the ground to provide all the heating and hot water your home requires. The principle is simple, and the result is low-cost, comfortable heating that uses sustainable energy and causes no direct emissions or other damage to the environment. For every single kilowatt of electricity used to power the heat pumps, this system could generate four kilowatts or more in energy for your home.
How does a ground source heat pump work?
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 your garden. Heat from the ground is absorbed into the fluid and then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump. The ground stays at a fairly constant temperature under the surface, so the heat pump can be used throughout the year – even in the middle of winter.
There are two options for obtaining energy from the ground: a horizontal collector uses lengths of pipe buried underground to a depth around 1 metre. 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, but need more space to be buried in. This is a good solution if your property has enough land to accommodate the collector.
If space is limited, a vertical borehole can be drilled instead to a depth of between 60 and 200 metres, and the collector is fed into the hole. A vertical collector minimises the amount of land required on the surface of the collector.
Will I also need a boiler with a ground source heat pump?
In the majority of circumstances, the answer is no. A geothermal ground source heat pump is all you need to satisfy your total heating and hot water requirements. However, we will advise you on your individual situation.
Can I keep my existing radiators?
Ideally, for maximum benefit and efficiency, a heat pump is best used with underfloor heating, but oversized radiators are also an option.
Air source heat pumps
An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside. It can get heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -15° C. Air source heat pumps can be used as a complete solution for room heating, using the same distribution system as a ground source heat pump or a traditional system. They can also be used in many more applications, including large commercial projects where land space is restricted.
Air source heat pumps are ideal for very tight spaces and within an eco-architectural design or within the design of a building which has large internal spaces such as audience halls and public places.
