Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)
At a depth of 1.8m below ground, the soil temperature is the same as the average, year round air temperature. Ground or water source heat pumps take their heat from “slinky” pipes, buried below ground or laid underwater (in lakes or rivers). These pipes can either be buried in shallow trenches where space is available, or be drilled in a “borehole” in order to sink them into the ground where space is at a premium. As the energy density of soil/earth is much greater than air and the ground temperature at 1.8m below the surface is equal to the average year round air temperature, a ground source heat pump is able to garner consistently higher efficiencies than its air-source counterpart.
As with air-source models, ground-source heat pumps are well suited to low-temperature central heating systems such as underfloor heating circuits or over-sized radiators.
- Even higher efficiencies than air-source heat pumps
- Outdoor unit requires little space, and can even be installed in a garage or outbuilding
- Eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive (link to RHI page) – a new-build 4-bedroom home could claim approximately £3,200 PA at current tariffs.
- Similar efficiency achieved year-round