N.B - Image above shows NIBE Surface Collector

Ground Source Heat Pumps

In the UK, just a few metres below the earth’s surface, the ground keeps a constant temperature of between 11 - 12°C. This geothermal energy, as it is known, is absorbed from the sun during the summer.

A ground source heat pump uses pipes buried in the ground to extract geothermal energy. The energy is pumped into the property at a higher temperature and used for heating.

A ground source heat pump comprises of a ground collector, heat pump and heat distribution system such as radiators or underfloor heating.

Ground collectors can either be laid horizontally in a trench or vertically in a borehole. Horizontal collectors are typically cheaper to install but they require greater land area. Boreholes are more suitable for properties with limited land.

The heat distribution system can either be conventional radiators but we recommend they are oversized by between 20-30%. However, heat pumps are best combined with underfloor heating as the low flow temperatures will optimise the heating system’s coefficient performance rating.