Ground source heat pumps draw as much as 75% of their energy from freely available, inexhaustible solar energy stored in the ground,
Temperatures below the earth's surface are highly stable and mean the ground source heat pumps can provide high levels of efficiency all year round.
We can supply ground source heat pumps in an extensive range of model types and capacities to suit all domestic or commercial uses.
Heat from the ground
The earth stores an enormous amount of solar energy from both solar radiation and rainfall and more than 1m below the surface, you'll find a stable source of heat year-round.
To extract this heat energy, ground collectors consisting of flexible polyethylene pipes are buried in the earth, either horizontally or vertically. A mixture of water and anti-freeze is then circulated through pipe loops, attracting the heat and transferring it to the heat pump.
Ground source heat pumps can be used for both heating and cooling, as well as domestic hot water and swimming pools. They can be connected to radiators, underfloor heating, or a wall-mounted controllable fan unit.
How an Ground Source Heat Pump works
- Heat in the ground is transferred to the liquid in the heat pump
- The heat pump is connected to the mains which provides around 25% of the energy needed
- The heat energy in the liquid is then transferred to the refrigerant within the evaporator, causing it to turn to gas
- The refrigerant gas is compressed by the heat pump, reducing it's volume but causing it to raise in temperature
- A heat exchanger (condenser) then transfers the heat from the refrigerant to a hot water supply
- The refrigerant turns back into a liquid, allowing the cycle to begin again
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Go Horizontal or Vertical?
Ground source heat pumps require collectors to be buried in the ground to absorb the heat from the ground.
Most frequently, where there is sufficient space, these are laid horizontally in the ground, buried at a depth of around 1.2m. The land area required depends on the capacity of the heat pump and the soil (different soil types transfer heat at different rates).
Alternatively the collectors can be installed vertically in a borehole, drilled up to 100m deep in the ground. Although this approach is more expensive, it allows ground source heat pumps to be installed where space is limited, and for high levels of heat extraction.
Speak to one of our team to find out more. Call 01239 613 423 now for a free consultation.