Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground source heat pumps work by absorbing solar energy from the ground via a length of pipe buried at a depth of around 1m, or by tapping into geothermal heat by drilling boreholes. A heat transfer fluid is pumped around this pipe and passed back to the heat pump where the energy is transferred to a gas which is then compressed to give a higher temperature and transferred again, to the heating and hot water system of the house. By using the free heat stored in the earth, ground source heat pumps can give a return of around 4kW of heat for every 1kW of energy they use. However, it is important to note that this return, known as the co-efficient of performance (CoP), will depend on a number of factors such as the efficiency of the individual system, climate, ground conditions and the changing demand for heat within the property. Ground source heat pumps are generally best suited to well insulated properties with an efficient heat distribution system and sufficient outside space for siting the ground pipes. In other cases, there may be a better solution, such as an air source heat pump or biomass heating system. Either way, at Green Heat Wales we do not believe that one size fits all, and our solutions will be tailored to the specific requirements of your project. Our independence allows us to select products and manufacturers that best meet your requirements for efficiency and reliability, although we generally believe that Danfoss heat pumps are best at reducing your running costs and saving energy while needing only minimal maintenance.