Ground source heating how does it work

Dandelion uses proprietary software technology to accurately design a ground loop system that will fit your home and keep your family warm. Simply put, heat pumps are devices powered by electricity that gather heat energy from one place and transfer it to another. A ground source heat pump mechanically circulates that thermally conductive liquid solution through the ground loops.

That refrigerant is then turned into a vapor and compressed. The act of compressing that vapor increases its temperature. Once that vapor is hot enough, it enters a heat exchanger which transfers that heat to the air. Just like ground source heat pumps, ASHPs are an efficient, carbon neutral way to heat your home while providing air conditioning at no extra cost.

The difference between ASHPs and geothermal, or ground source heat pumps, lies in the consistency of the source of that thermal energy. The colder the temperature outside, the harder source heat pumps have to work hardest to harness BTUs to heat your home.

A geothermal heating system is the most efficient and environmentally friendly way to heat your home. Additionally, geothermal systems also provide hyper-efficient central air conditioning, so in addition to saving money and reducing your carbon footprint, ground source heat pumps let your family live more comfortably year-round.

What are you waiting for? Find out if your home qualifies for Dandelion geothermal today. You'll need plenty of space for the system to be installed - generally a garden that's accessible for digging machinery.

How big the ground loop needs to be depends on how big your home is and how much heat you need. You can then use this heat in a radiator, for hot water, or in an underfloor heating system. Whether you'll need an additional back-up heating system will depend on your property. Alternatively, you could try an air source heat pump.

These are usually placed outside at the side or back of a property, and take heat from the air. For more details, see our separate guide to air source heat pumps. Ground source heat pumps generate less CO2 than conventional heating systems, but you still need to use electricity to drive the pump.

A ground source heat pump system can help to lower your carbon footprint as it uses a renewable, natural source of heat — the ground. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a heat pump with mid-range efficiency would save you most carbon when used to replace an old electric heating system with storage heaters or coal heating system. A heat pump also requires a supplementary source of power, usually electricity, to power the heat pump. So there will still be some resulting CO2 emissions. Don't pay more for energy than you need to.

Visit Which? Well-suited to properties on larger plots, with land available for the ground loop collectors. Ground loop or borehole GSHP installation options available. GSHPs are virtually silent in operation.

Ground loops or borehole: which should you choose? Ground loops Ground loops are the most popular choice when installing a ground source heat pump. Boreholes A borehole is a vertical hole that is typically drilled between metres deep. Boreholes can cost as much as double in comparison to ground loops. This is due to the contractors, equipment, drilling and logistics involved No additional payback. The Renewable Heat Incentive tariff rate remains the same, whether you have installed a borehole or ground loops.

This means the overall cost to install a GSHP with a borehole is higher Specialist contractor is required. Heat emitter. A GSHP is at its most efficient when producing low water temperatures, so it should be paired with a low temperature heat emitter, like underfloor heating , to maximise its efficiency. If you are looking to create a sustainable home, moving away from fossil fuels with modest running costs, then a GSHP sounds like a good match. If your main motive is to save money, but you live in an older property with access to mains gas, the initial outlay and potential savings compared to sticking with gas will be minimal, so a GSHP might not be right for you.

Find out if a GSHP is right for your home. Ground source heat pump costs When considering a ground source heat pump, cost is always going to be a key consideration. During annual maintenance checks, the main components of the GSHP that will need to be checked are: The control equipment Pipes that are above the ground, along with their connection points The compressor The water pump The anti-freeze and water mixture You can also expect to have the GSHP ground collectors filled and flushed around every 8 years.

February Contact us today Click to call. Our ground source heat pump range Here at Nu-Heat we make sure to use high quality, proven components for all our systems and installations. Include modulating units and that adjust output based on the heat required, drawing less electricity MCS approved for the Renewable Heat Incentive Easy to use thanks to an intuitive display Guaranteed for 7 years when supplied and commissioned by Nu-Heat A reputation for quality with a name you can trust.

More information. Paul and Dana. See case study. Complete GSHP design, supply and commissioning support service ensures seamless system integration and performance. Step-by-step instructions and comprehensive mechanical and electrical drawings supplied as standard.

Ground source heat pumps are guaranteed for 7 years when supplied and commissioned by a Nu-heat engineer. Get in touch. Find out more. How are ground source heat pumps installed? There are 3 main steps to installing a ground source heat pump:. Nu-Heat is a specialist in renewable heating which is why we offer: Expert advice and support to ensure a GSHP is right for you.

Room-by-room heat loss calculations to select the correct size GSHP and ensure efficiency. Mechanical and electrical drawings, installation manuals and user guides specific to your GSHP system.

The GSHP is sited inside the property in a plant room together with the flow and return heating pipework and the flow and return from the ground collector array. The collector array will either be ground loops or boreholes. Horizontal ground loops can be laid by a groundworker with some assistance from the heating engineer. Vertical boreholes can be drilled as another option, which can save space but tends to cost around twice as much as the ground loop option.

Nu-Heat provides all of the components and collector array required to install the GSHP, along with a full set of mechanical and electrical drawings which will be tailored to suit the project.

We can also provide all the necessary documentation to support an RHI application, as well as registering the warranties and guarantees. Onsite commissioning — We have our own experienced engineers that are able to visit the property to commission your system, ensuring quality of install and MCS compliance. They are also on hand to explain how the system is controlled. Get in touch to discuss your project. Find an installer. Become an installer.

Speak to an expert For free, honest advice about the best solution for your project, speak with one of our knowledgeable team.