Save money and energy with Ground or Air Source Heat Pumps
If you are looking for real alternative energy sources Ground or Air Source Heat Pumps could be the solution for your home.
Initial outlay is more expensive, however it could provide you with an income through the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive scheme. You could reduce your energy costs and carbon emissions significantly as well as heat your home and water too.
What is the difference between Ground and Air Source pumps?
Ground Source heat pumps
Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) use pipes buried in the garden to extract heat from the ground – so you need space. The heat can then be used to heat radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems and hot water in your home.
A ground source heat pump circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze around a loop of pipe, called a ground loop, which is buried in your garden.
Heat from the ground is absorbed into the fluid and then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump.
Longer loops can draw more heat from the ground, but need more space to be buried in. If space is limited, a vertical borehole can be drilled instead.
Air Source heat pumps
Air source heat pumps are usually easier to install than ground source as they don’t need any trenches or drilling, but they are often less efficient than ground source heat pumps.
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) absorb heat from the outside air. This heat can then be used to heat radiators, underfloor heating systems, or warm air convectors and hot water in your home.
It can get heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -15° C.
Heat pumps have some impact on the environment as they need electricity to run, but the heat they extract from the ground, air, or water is constantly being renewed naturally.
Heat from the air is absorbed at low temperature into a fluid. This fluid then passes through a compressor where its temperature is increased and transfers its higher temperature heat to the heating and hot water circuits of the house.
For both options during the winter they may need to be on constantly to heat your home efficiently. You will also notice that radiators won’t feel as hot to the touch as they might do when you are using a gas or oil boiler.
Talk to our team today
If you are new to renewable energy and want to understand more then please talk to our team of engineers. We can visit your home and discuss which renewable energy method is best to heat your home and evaluate costs and options for you.
