In practice, ground source heat pumps push a cold fluid (perhaps 5 deg C colder than the ground temperature, and usually a mixture of water and antifreeze) out into a network of buried plastic pipe. As the fluid passes through the pipes it gradually absorbs heat energy from the surrounding environment. The fluid then returns to the heat pump slightly (perhaps 5 deg C) warmer than it left. The heat pump upgrades this heat to a higher level to provide heating - the higher it raises the temperature, the less efficient the heat pump, the more electrical energy (ie running costs) and the larger the heat pump needs to be.
This is why heat pumps prefer low temperature distribution systems in low-energy buildings where they only have to raise the temperature to perhaps 30 to 35 deg C, and why radiators and domestic hot water are not our first recommendation.
- Low running costs with no routine maintenance
- Integral ground and underfloor pumps
- Ease of installation
- "Copeland" scroll compressors made in Northern Ireland
- Microprocessor weather compensation
- Grant assistance of up to 40% of the fully installed cost of the system.