Ground Source Heat Pumps
Ground Source Heat Pumps in Hampshire
What are Ground Source Heat Pumps?
Ground Source Heat Pumps provide a new and clean way of heating buildings in the UK. A Ground Source Heat Pump works by simply moving heat energy from one place to another. Your fridge works on the same principal only in reverse. By using the same process the Ground Source Heating System removes latent solar heat stored in the earth and transfers it into your home, providing one of the most energy efficient ways of heating buildings and providing hot water. The sun naturally replenishes the heat removed from the ground. This energy source is renewable, inexhaustible, free, and cannot be taxed.
Ground Source Heat Pumps are suitable for a wide range of building types and are particularly appropriate for low environmental impact and well insulated projects.
To install a Ground Source Heat Pump firstly pipes are buried in the ground - (either by trenching or geothermal drilling - see separate page). The top 15 metres of the Earth's surface maintains a relatively constant temperature of approximately 12˚C. The pipes are a closed loop, which contain a mixture of glycol and water, this solution is then pumped around the pipes, which absorbs the heat from the ground. As these pipes are buried below 1m in depth, where the temperature of the ground remains pretty constant (8 to 12ºC), heat is absorbed from the ground into the glycol solution. This solution is then passed through the heat pump where the heat is enhanced and passed into the heating and hot water circuits of the home or building. In some applications, the pump can be reversed in summer to provide an element of cooling.
The only energy used by Ground Source Heat Pump systems is the electricity used to power the pumps. Typically, a Ground Source Heat Pump will deliver 3 or 4 times as much thermal energy (heat) as is used in electrical energy to drive the system. For a particularly environmental solution, 'green electricity' can be purchased. With these efficiencies of 300-400%, running costs can be reduced by up to 75%, and carbon emissions reduced of up to 60%.
Ground Source Heat Pump systems have been widely used in other parts of the world, including North America and Europe, for many years. Typically they cost more to install than conventional systems; however, they have very low maintenance costs and can be expected to provide reliable and environmentally friendly heating for in excess of 20 years.
Ground Source Heat Pumps work best with heating systems which are optimised to run at a lower water temperature than is commonly used in UK boiler and radiator systems. As such, they make an ideal partner for underfloor heating systems, or skirting heating. A Ground Source Heat Pump will work with radiators but not as efficiently and you will need to ensure that your house is very well insulated if you are to get a good return on your investment.