Ground Source Heat Pumps are stand-alone units. They are roughly the same size as a fridge freezer unit. They can be installed outside or inside your home or business premises. Groundworks are required to lay the ground collector system. This is the pipework that collects the heat energy from the ground.
All About Ground Source Heat Pumps
These ground source heat pumps work by drawing heat from the ground. They then transfer heat to provide you with all your heating needs. This will then be distributed via underfloor heating or radiators.
When outside temperatures are below zero (all the way down to -10), 100% of your heating and hot water needs can still be generated. This is because the ground temperature is generally between 6 – 12 degrees all year round.
The ground loop can be installed horizontally or vertically.
- Horizontally laid, the loops need to be a meter below the surface.
- Vertically laid, a bore hole is drilled around 100 meters down.
- If you have a lake, they can be adapted to work as water source heat pumps.
The most common ground loop type is horizontal. This loop is laid in a straight line, spaced at least 1 meter apart and 1 meter deep. A large area of land is needed for the ground loop. As a general rule of thumb we say 3 times the floor space to be heated is the amount of land required.
Many heat pumps qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, which offers money for simply installing and using renewable energy products.
The GME Group range offers Vaillant Ground Source, Airsource and water source heat pumps. Covering various sizes and needs for properties and businesses a long with larger district heating systems. To find out more about the benefits of ground source heat pumps click on the link here.
How they Work
Ground Source Heat Pumps are extremely efficient because they move energy rather than create it. They are seen as a long-term renewable energy investment, as the benefits continue over time. For every 3-4.8kW of heat moved into your home it only uses 1kW of electricity.
This means the heat pumps provide an efficiency of 300-480%
Step by step guide to Ground Source Heat Pumps:
The ground-loop pushes fluid around its circuit collecting the heat from the soil.
The heat pump’s evaporator then uses the heat obtained by the exchanger to boil the refrigerant. This boils at approximately -10˚C. The refrigerant then turns the refrigerant into vapour, which is then transferred to the Compressor.
The Compressor then compresses the vapour and as its volume decreases. At the same time its temperature increases. The gas that is created is fed through to a heat exchanger within the heating pump.
Forcing the hot gas through the heat exchanger causes it too cool and return to a liquid. As it does this, its heat is passed into the heat exchanger, which supplies your domestic hot water and central heating.
To complete the heat pump’s circuit, the pressure of the condensed liquid is reduced via the expansion valve. The end result? You’re heating and hotter provided in the most efficient way and all your needs are met.
Ground Source Heat Pump Installers
If you are considering a ground source heat pump in your property then please get in touch. We can advise you accordingly on what would be best for you.
Please either call GME Group on 01435 868988 or get in touch via our contact page and someone will get back to you.