Ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) take low-level heat which occurs naturally underground and convert it to high-grade heat by using an electrically-driven or gas-powered heat pump

 

Site suitability

Connecting a GSHP into an existing heating system is often constrained by the requirement of the existing system to operate at temperatures higher than that delivered by the GSHP. This can often be overcome, but at an increased cost.

GSHPs are generally best suited to new-build projects, where they can be included in the building design.The installation of GSHPs requires a large amount of civil engineering works, such as sinking bore holes (50m+) or digging 1-2m deep trenches to house the collector pipe. The feasibility of doing this will depend on the geological

 

A 5-10kW GSHP system would be large enough to heat a small office. This heat can then be used to provide space heating for a building. GSHPs can also be driven in reverse to provide comfort cooling.

 

The heat is collected through a series of underground pipes laid about 1.5m below the surface, or from a borehole system. In both of these options, water is re-circulated in a closed loop underground and delivered to the heat pump, which is usually located inside the building.

 

Heat pumps cover a wide range of capacities, from a few kW to many hundreds of kW machines that heat or cool large multi storey buildings.

 

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