Heat pumps (Ground/Water/Air)


Heat pumps provide a new and clean way of heating buildings in the UK. They make use of renewable energy stored in the ground or in the ambient air, providing one of the most energy-efficient ways of heating buildings.  They are suitable for a wide variety of building types and are particularly appropriate for low environmental impact projects.

 

The Earth acts as a huge thermal store absorbing 50% of the sun’s energy and maintaining a constant temperature of 11 to 13°C throughout the year. Heat pumps extract solar energy stored in the ground, water courses and in the air. The systems require electricity to drive the pump and so can be integrated with other technologies to make them completely renewable.


heat pump


Heat Pumps are able to supply all of a property's space heating requirement however this technology is most suitable for new build or complete renovation where a trench can be excavated during the building works and under floor heating incorporated in the design. Heat pumps can raise the output temperature to about 50°C, but the higher the temperature required the more electricity is required to drive the pump and hence it becomes less efficient.

The efficiency of a heat pump is measured in terms of its coefficient of performance (CoP). This is the ratio of its heat output compared to its electricity input. Heat pumps are best suited to low temperature distribution systems in highly insulated buildings where they only have to raise the temperature to perhaps 30 to 35°C. In such a situation a GSHP might achieve a CoP of 3-4:1.

Heat pumps are less well suited to traditional systems in which hot water is pumped around radiators as these require hotter water (up to 80°C) which cannot be achieved efficiently. Similarly, poorly insulated buildings will also require the pump to work harder consuming valuable electricity and therefore reduce the CoP of the system.

 

For more information on the different types of heat pump available please click on one of the links to the left.

 

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