Ground Source Heat Pumps
A ground source heat pump, sometimes referred to as a ground-to-water heat pump, transfers heat from the ground outside your home to heat your radiators or underfloor heating. It can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for your hot taps and showers.
Thermal transfer fluid (TTF), a mixture of water and antifreeze (sometimes known as ‘brine’) flows around a loop of pipe, buried in your garden or outdoor space. This loop could either be a long or coiled pipe buried in trenches, or a long loop (called a ‘probe’) inserted into a borehole with a diameter or around 180mm.
Heat from the ground is absorbed into the fluid, which then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump. This raises the temperature of the fluid and then transfers that heat to water.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) supports the decarbonisation of heat in buildings. It provides upfront funding to support the installation of heat pumps homes and small non-domestic buildings in England and Wales.
Acting on behalf of property owners, Caplor Energy can apply for:
- £5000 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump
- £6000 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump, including water source heat pumps
Over the next three years there is £450 million of grant funding available from 2022 to 2025.
Green Mortgages
The UK’s green mortgage market is showing signs that it is ready for lift off, with both Halifax and Barclays having already launched offers to incentivise homeowners into installing renewable technologies, including ground source heat pumps. Green mortgage products come in a variety of different forms, but all aim to incentivise homeowners to invest in improving the energy efficiency of their properties.
More details can be found on our blog here: here
Benefits of Ground Source Heat Pumps
- Renewable, low carbon, environmentally friendly heat source
- Clean, sustainable, waste and virtually noise free system
- Removes the need to store oil generating extra space from tank removal
- Fuel availability doesn’t have to be regularly monitored
- Increased protection from fluctuating energy prices
- MCS approved for The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact calculation depends on ground conditions, but approximately for every 60m of pipe 1 kilowatt of energy can be typically absorbed from the ground.
If space is a challenge, a borehole to fit a vertical ground array can be used. In a constrained garden space, a borehole will typically need 150mm width and are typically drilled to a depth of 60m to 200m. Generally boreholes are used for district heating systems for apartment blocks, housing projects or a holiday lodge complex.
There may be instances where the fabric of the building can be improved to achieve the highest levels of efficiency from the heat pump. For example where the property can be updated with the basic thermal improvements i.e. cavity wall installation, loft insulation and double glazing this should be considered if not already installed.
The air source heat pump then needs to be able to meet the maximum heat demand of the property under its maximum (coldest) conditions. Accredited Installers for the domestic market and consultants for the commercial properties can all assist with heat loss calculations to ensure the heat pump matches the building load.
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