Consider green ground source heat pumps

Ground source heat pumps can be highly eco-friendly, and more and more homeowners are turning to them. They are used to heat homes by pumping water through underground heat, which then results in hot water or home heating. The pumps do require electricity, but heating your home in this way can involve far less electricity than you would otherwise use. The pump can be comparable to a boiler, but the difference is that no fuel needs to be burned to achieve the results.

Is the technology right for you?

If you’re considering investing in a ground source heat pump, you’ll need to ensure that you have enough space at your property to install one. They consist of a ground loop, which itself consist of a number of underground water pipes and a heat pump, which is located at ground level. The ground loop works by having water and anti-freeze pumped around it, which results in the natural heat in the ground being utilised. The pump is made up of a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser. The pump uses these features to take the heat from the water and anti-freeze mixture and transfer it into heat or hot water for the home.

Financial incentives

The heat from the ground is multiplied by between 1.5 and 4 times its original temperature. This new heat can then be used for a radiator, an underfloor heating system or a radiator. The pumps are eco-friendly, using less carbon dioxide than regular heating systems. Some homeowners have benefitted from government schemes which encourage the installation of the pumps by offering discounts on bills once they are put in place. The technology can be expensive however, but research has shown the pumps to reduce the fuel costs of many households.

An eco-friendly solution

The pumps can be a better fit for new build homes rather than with existing properties as the work that is involved in installation can be disruptive, and you may need planning permission. Meanwhile, air source heat pumps work on a similar principle and have also proved to be popular. Nonetheless, ground source heat pumps have allowed many homeowners to enjoy lower fuel bills whist making a notable contribution to the environment.