Efficient, low-carbon heating using energy from the ground
Ground source heat pumps provide heating and hot water by transferring naturally occurring heat from the ground into your property.
They can provide an efficient alternative to traditional fossil-fuel heating systems and can be particularly well suited to properties with sufficient outdoor space for ground loops or boreholes.
At Clima-tech, we can help assess whether a ground source heat pump is suitable for your property and provide a correctly designed system to meet your heating and hot water requirements.
How does a ground source heat pump work?
A ground source heat pump uses a network of pipes installed underground to collect heat from the ground.
A mixture of water and thermal transfer fluid circulates through the underground pipework and absorbs heat. The heat pump then raises the temperature of this energy so that it can be used within your home’s heating and hot water system.
Unlike a traditional boiler, a heat pump doesn’t create heat by burning fuel. Instead, it uses electricity to transfer heat that is already present in the environment.
Because ground temperatures are relatively stable throughout the year, ground source heat pumps can provide an efficient and consistent source of heating.
Ground loops or boreholes?
The ground collector for a ground source heat pump can generally be installed in one of two ways.
Horizontal ground loops
Where sufficient land is available, pipework can be installed horizontally in trenches.
This requires a suitable amount of accessible outdoor space and involves excavation of the ground around the property.
Vertical boreholes
Where there isn’t enough space for horizontal ground loops, vertical boreholes may be an option.
These allow the ground collector to extend much deeper underground while using considerably less surface area. Boreholes require specialist drilling and can make the installation more expensive.
The right solution will depend on the property, available land, ground conditions and the heating requirements of the building.
What are the benefits of a ground source heat pump?
A correctly designed ground source heat pump can offer a number of benefits:
- Highly efficient heating – heat pumps can provide considerably more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume.
- Low-carbon heating – reducing reliance on fossil fuels such as oil, LPG and gas.
- Stable heat source – ground temperatures vary less throughout the year than outside air temperatures.
- No fuel deliveries – particularly beneficial for properties currently relying on oil or LPG.
- Heating and hot water – one system can provide both space heating and stored domestic hot water.
- No external fan unit – unlike an air source heat pump, the heat collection system is underground.
- Long-term solution – underground ground loops can have a long operational life when correctly designed and installed.
Is my property suitable for a ground source heat pump?
Ground source heat pumps can work extremely well, but they aren’t the right solution for every property.
One of the main considerations is space.
Horizontal ground loops require a suitable area of land that can be excavated. Where this isn’t available, boreholes may be possible, subject to access and ground conditions.
We also need to consider the property itself.
A heat pump system should be designed around the heating requirements of the building. This can include assessing:
- The property’s heat loss
- Existing radiators or underfloor heating
- Required heating flow temperatures
- Hot water requirements
- Available outdoor space
- Ground conditions and access
- Electrical supply
- Space for the heat pump and hot water cylinder
This assessment helps determine whether a ground source heat pump is suitable and how the system should be designed.
Ground Source or Air Source Heat Pump?
Both technologies use the same basic principle: they collect heat from the environment and transfer it into your heating system.
The key difference is where that heat comes from.
A ground source heat pump collects heat through underground pipework, whereas an air source heat pump collects heat from the outside air.
Ground source heat pumps can offer excellent year-round efficiency because ground temperatures are relatively stable. However, they require underground pipework or boreholes and are generally more expensive and disruptive to install.
Air source heat pumps require much less ground work and are therefore suitable for a wider range of properties.
There isn’t one option that’s automatically better for every home. The right choice depends on your property, available space, budget and heating requirements.
Clima-tech can help you establish which solution is most appropriate.
Why choose Clima-tech?
Clima-tech has been providing HVAC and renewable energy services since 2015.
As an MCS certified heat pump installer, we understand that good heat pump performance starts with good system design.
We can support you through the process, including:
- Initial advice and property assessment
- Heat pump system design
- Ground source heat pump installation
- Heating system and radiator upgrades
- Hot water systems
- Electrical works associated with the installation
- System commissioning
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications for eligible installations
- Ongoing servicing and maintenance
Our aim is to provide a system that is correctly designed for the property, professionally installed and properly commissioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of installing a ground source heat pump varies considerably from one property to another.
Factors affecting the price include:
- The size and heating requirements of the property
- The heat pump required
- Whether horizontal ground loops or boreholes are used
- Ground conditions
- Site access
- Excavation or drilling requirements
- Changes required to radiators or underfloor heating
- Hot water cylinder requirements
- Electrical works
- Whether the property is an existing building or new build
Because of these variables, we believe it’s more useful to assess the individual property rather than advertise a standard installation price.
Contact Clima-tech and we can discuss your requirements and the options available.
It can, but we don’t believe in promising a particular saving before assessing your property.
Running costs depend on several factors, including:
- The heating system you’re replacing
- Your property’s heat demand
- Heat pump efficiency
- System design
- Heating flow temperatures
- Electricity prices and tariff
- How you use and control your heating
A property moving from one type of heating system may see very different savings from another property switching from a modern gas boiler.
That’s why our focus is on designing the right system for the individual property rather than quoting a generic percentage saving.
Horizontal ground loops require a significant amount of suitable outdoor space. If there isn’t enough room, vertical boreholes may be an alternative.
A site assessment will help establish which option is suitable.
Many ground source heat pump installations can be carried out under permitted development rights, but there are exceptions.
Requirements can depend on the property, location and proposed installation, so planning requirements should be checked for the individual project.
Yes, they are an ideal match due to providing consistent, low-level heat.
Yes, the government is offering grants of up to £9000 with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme . Most eligible households can receive a grant of £7,500, while some homes currently heated by oil/LPG may be eligible for an increased grant of £9,000.
Routine maintenance is recommended annually, with servicing costs ranging from £150 to £200 per visit. Regular maintenance ensures optimal efficiency and prolongs the system’s lifespan.
No, they operate almost silently due to their underground components.
Yes. Ground source heat pumps are designed to provide heating throughout the year. One of their advantages is that temperatures below ground are more stable than outside air temperatures.
For advice or guidance on the benefits heat pumps can provide UK businesses and homeowners with get in touch today. Call 01473 798321 and we will make the whole process as smooth and stress-free as possible.