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Telephone: 01269 500388 email: info@celticgreenenergy.co.uk
A Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) is an alternative system using subterranean thermal heat using energy gathered from water circulating in underground pipes. The Ground Source Heat Pump transfers heat from the ground outside your home to heat radiators or underfloor heating. It can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for your hot taps and showers. Thermal transfer fluid (TTF), a mixture of water and antifreeze (sometimes known as ‘brine’) flows around a loop of pipe, buried in your garden or outdoor space. This loop could either be a long or coiled pipe buried in trenches or a long loop called a ‘probe’ inserted into a borehole in the ground. Heat from the ground is then absorbed into the fluid which then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump. This raises the temperature of the fluid and then transfers that heat to water. You don’t necessarily need a large space, but you will need land near your home suitable for digging trenches or drilling boreholes. A Ground Loop system involves having land suitable for digging and accessible to machinery from a road entrance. This area will need to be free of trees as roots will cause problems when digging trenches. The length of Ground Loop and trenches depend on the size of your home and the amount of heat you need. If space is limited, it may be possible to drill vertical boreholes to gather heat. This is usually more expensive than digging trenches and will require a specialist ground survey. Larger properties may require more than one borehole, whilst the borehole depth will depend on the heat demands of a property and the underlying geology, around 75-200 metres deep.
We source our Ground Source Heat pumps from the world’s leading manufacturer, Swedish based NIBE who offer a comprehensive 10 year warranty on their products.
Although there are other less expensive brands available, we choose NIBE for their superior performance. Built and tested in a harsh Scandinavian climate, they manufacture outstanding build quality that surpass our needs for the worst of British climate. The NIBE S1255 is an intelligent, inverter-controlled ground source heat pump with integrated water heater. NIBE S1255 provides optimum savings since the heat pump always performs efficiently and automatically adapts to your home’s heating demand all year round. NIBE is a leading player in the field of inverter technology, with many years’ experience of variable output ground source heat pumps and one of the widest product ranges on the market. NIBE S1255 has a high seasonal performance factor, resulting in minimal operating costs. The heat pump is available in two different output sizes: 1.5–6 kW and 3–12 kW, suitable for both small and large properties. With integrated wifi, the S Series is a natural part of your connected home. Smart technology adjusts the indoor climate automatically while you’re in complete control from your phone or tablet giving maximum comfort and minimum energy consumption while doing nature a favour at the same time.
Despite the greater upfront cost of installing a ground source heat pump, this type of pump is more efficient when it comes to heating your home, which results in higher fuel savings and lower energy bills. Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments are also higher for ground source heat pumps than for air source heat pumps, meaning you will save more in the long term when opting for a GSHP. The cost of installing a Ground Source Heat Pump system can vary subject to a number of issues including location, access to the ground and whether trenches or a borehole are required. The cost of a borehole with it’s advantage of a smaller ‘footprint’ has to be outweighed against a near doubling in installation costs due to specialist excavations. The installation costs of a Heat Pump will also be reflected in the choice of make, model and specification requirements needed to service the home, how much heat is required and whether it is an existing property or a new build. You will also need to consider the suitability and efficiency of existing radiators with a new heat pump, or if you are installing radiators or underfloor heating for the first time.
Most heat pump installations are considered ‘permitted developments’ and often do not require planning permission – however we recommend that you first check with your local authority for guidance as some locations can be exempt from this ruling.
If you are planning to have a Heat Pump system installed, it will be necessary to register with your Distribution Network Operator – the organisation responsible for delivering electricity to your property.
This is a service we provide in your installation programme.
The Ground Source Heat Pump processes the conversion of geothermal heat into suitable domestic heat. The unit is the size of a large domestic appliance, roughly the size of a tall fridge-freezer that needs to be stored in a suitable dry location such as a utility room or a garage. The unit contains key operating components that will require an electric supply, plumbing and access to an internet connection to facilitate a hot water cylinder, pump and control electronics.
If you would like to discuss your energy requirements, drop us a line or give us a call and we will arrange for an onsite appointment with our Commercial Sales Director.
We will discuss and agree your requirements then prepare a detailed cost illustration outlining the most effective energy solutions and expected outcome.
On agreement of the proposal, we will plan and manage the project including all necessary paperwork, Building Control and District Network Operator (DNO) requirements for you.
Our team will plan and arrange for our engineers to install your new system and provide you with an update on progress including regular customer service updates.
When the installation is completed, you will receive a comprehensive handover pack including all compliance and warranty certificates and operating instructions.