Heat pumps

 

The Illustration below shows the main elements of a typical system. Three basic principles are followed throughout the entire process: 1. Heat flows from warmer to cooler 2. Compression of gas to liquid releases heat 3. Expansion of liquid to gas causes cooling

 

 

 

 

There are two main types of ground loop that can be used to extract heat using GSHPs. The loop can either be laid in horizontal trenches, or installed in a vertical borehole. A domestic household would require a horizontal ground loop buried between 1.5-2m deep in a 40-100m long trench.

Vertical pipe installations are more suitable for sites with limited land requiring a bore hole of 50-100m but require a specialist boring rig which makes these installations more expensive. The pump itself is a square box similar in size to a fridge freezer.

Air- and Water-Source-Heat-Pumps are less needy of space. The pipe work of a WSHP can simply be sunk to the bottom of a nearby watercourse whilst the coils of an ASHP are self contained inside a compact unit resembling an air conditioning system.

How much maintenance is required?

Heat pumps are highly reliable with virtually no maintenance required following installation. As they don’t have many moving parts they do not require annual inspections or servicing. The underground piping typically carries a 50-year warranty. ASHPs and WSHPs that are sited externally will have a shorter life expectancy (~15 years).

 

 

Please feel free to get in contact with us by email or call 0845 189 9894 to discuss any of your requirements.