frequently asked questions

How does a ground source heat pump work?
A ground source heat pump circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze around a loop of pipe - called a ground loop - which is buried in the garden. When the liquid travels around the loop it absorbs heat from the ground - used to heat radiators, underfloor heating systems and even hot water.

Normally the loop is laid flat, or coiled in trenches about two metres deep, but if there is not enough space in your garden you can install a vertical loop to a depth of up to 100 metres.

What are the benefits?
Reduce your CO2 emissions: on average a ground source heat pump could save around 540kg of carbon dioxide every year when replacing an oil boiler.

Eliminate your fuel bills: ground source heat pumps run on electricity, so there’s no need to pay for gas, oil or solid fuels to heat your home.

Cut down on wasted electricity: heating your home with a ground source heat pump is much more efficient than using electric radiators.

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Is a groundloop system suitable for my home?
To tell if a ground source heat pump is right for you, there are a few key questions to consider:

Is my garden suitable for a ground loop?
It doesn’t have to be particularly large, but the ground needs to be suitable for digging a trench or a borehole and accessible to digging machinery.

Is it important that my home is well insulated?
Since ground source heat pumps produce a lower temperature heat than traditional boilers, it’s essential that your home is insulated and draught proofed well for the heating system to be effective. It could also make the system cheaper and smaller.

What type of heating system do I need?
Underfloor heating systems or warm air heating will work much better than radiator-based systems.