Ground Source Heating

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground Source Heat Pumps – How They Work

A series of loops made of copper pipe are buried in a trench (usually in the garden of the property, or the surrounding grounds) or in a deep ‘borehole’. These coils transfer the heat that naturally occurs in the ground to be used in the heating of the building or its water supply.
Ground Source Heat Pump pipes are filled with a mixture of water and antifreeze fluid and this is pumped around the loops absorbing heat as it travels through the ground. The amount of available space and the normal ground conditions will determine how long the underground pipes are and the type of digging that is required.
The process is similar to that used by domestic fridges, where heat is extracted from inside into a solution called frigerant (stored at the back of the unit) to keep food cool. A Ground Source Heat Pump has an evaporator to take in heat from the looped pipes and a compressor to regulate the temperature. A condenser extracts the heat for use in underfloor heating, radiators or hot water.
Ground Source Heat Pumps are most suitable for homes and properties with underfloor heating, because this type of room heating works at a lower temperature than radiators.