Ground Source Heat Pumps - Hereford

Our skilled engineers are adept in all forms of heating and cooling - this includes ground source heat pumps. “What on earth is a ground source heat pump?” - it’s a valid question and don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone in asking. Most of our customers have not heard this term before hence why we’ve decided to put this guide together.  

What is a ground source heat pump?

A ground source heat pump, put simply, is a form of heating. The device gathers heat from the ground outside, transfers it, which then is put back into your heating system - heating up the inside of your home. Of course it’s not actually as simple as this, it does involve a few crucial steps and devices. Let’s look into how they work in more detail.  

• Step 1: We start with a loop or coiled pipe, buried deep under ground. This pipe has a mixture of water and anti-freeze inside, known as a thermal transfer fluid. This mixture begins to absorb the heat.  
• Step 2: The absorbed heat then passes through a heat exchanger into a refrigerant.  
• Step 3: The refrigerant is then compressed which raises its core temperature even higher. It’s then transferred into your central heating system heating the inside of your home.  

Heating our homes sustainably  

A ground source heat pump is a highly stainable method of heating. They emit a much lower level of CO2 than gas boilers - around 75% less than gas boilers. It’s important to note they do still rely on electricity to run however this is very little in comparison to how much more energy the pump generates. As the Earth's core temperature continues to rise we have to start changing the way we heat our homes. A ground source heat pump is a great solution to this. Not only will you be significantly reducing your carbon footprint, you will also benefit from reduced energy bills, low maintenance costs and feel rewarded by the pump's durability. On average they have a lifespan of 25 years, some even exceeding 50 years!

Is my home suitable for a ground source heat pump?

Another very valid question a lot of our customers ask. Sadly, not all homes will be suitable for a ground source heat pump. Before installing the pump, we will always consider the following:

• Does the property have enough space? To install a ground source heat pump, we’ll need access to an area outdoors to dig trenches or drill a borehole if space is limited. This is where cost comes into the equation as it is a big job and requires labour and machinery.  
• How old is the property? Newer builds which are more insulated can probably get away with just two trenches but older homes where insulation isn’t as good, more may be required. The amount of trenches required also depends on the size of your home (the bigger the home, the more heat it needs!)
• Where will the indoor heat pump be located? We will also require space inside your home where the indoor unit can be placed. They’re also of significant size, depending on the system you choose - roughly around the same size as an American fridge/freezer.  

How much does a ground source heat pump cost?

I’m not going to shy away from the fact that a ground source heat pump is expensive to install. As we mentioned earlier it’s a big job with labour and machinery required. It will take multiple days to complete and can quite often incur challenges along the way. The cost is also based on specific factors like property size and how it’s installed. You could be looking at anywhere from £18 to £50k.  

Ground source heat pump engineer - Hereford

SpartaMech Mechanical Services are your local ground source heat pump engineers - with many years experience your home will be in our very safe hands. We’re MCS certified - only fully qualified heating and cooling engineers with this certification can install ground source heat pumps so bear this in mind when choosing an installer. Thinking about how you can heat your home more sustainably? Get in touch with your Hereford based ground source heat pump engineers - SpartaMech.