Ground Source Heat Pump FAQ's
Q1. How efficient is a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps are very efficient. The heat energy supplied by a heat pump is between 3-5 times more than the electrical energy required to run the heat pump. For every kilowatt of electrical energy required to run the heat pump 3-5 kilowatts of heat energy is produced.
Q2. I have only heard of these systems recently, are they new?
Heat pumps have been around for more than 50 years and have become more efficient with time. They are common throughout Europe and North America and are a proven cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels.
Q3. Physically how big is a heat pump?
Heat pumps are a little bigger than conventional boilers and take up the space equivalent to that of a large fridge.
Q4. Can these heat pump systems also supply my hot water?
The open loop systems that we supply and install can provide all the hot water required in a domestic situation, although a specially designed hot water cylinder will be necessary.
Q5. I only have a single phase electricity supply at my property, will this be sufficient or is a three phase supply necessary?
For almost all single house domestic applications, a single phase power supply is sufficient. Some larger systems may require multiple single phase units or alternatively the installation of a three phase supply.
Q6. I am having a property built, is a heat pump something that I should consider?
Definitely! Current building regulations require all new buildings to be extremely well insulated, meaning less heat loss and hence less heat requirement. Heat pumps work best with under-floor heating which is common in new buildings.
Q7. I have an existing property and am thinking of having a heat pump installed, is this feasible?
It depends upon a number of factors such as the heating system layout, (hot water cylinder, radiators or under-floor heating etc) and the insulation properties of the building. This can be assessed by commissioning a standard assessment procedure (SAP) report.
Q8. I have a fairly modern home but no under-floor heating, just standard radiators, are these OK to run from a heat pump?
Assuming insulation of the property is adequate, a heat pump can work but larger or additional radiators may be required.
Q9. Can the heat pump be installed in an outside building like a garage or basement?
Sometimes this is preferable as it means the heat pump is closer to the borehole which makes installation simpler. Some people have specific enclosures or plant rooms built for their heat pumps.
Q10. How much space would I have to use for a heat pump system?
For the construction of an open-loop heat pump system, an area equating to that of two cars will allow construction of the borehole with nothing left visible at ground level. The borehole chamber would be fitted with a cover that can be subjected to light vehicular traffic.
Q11. Are heat pumps really that much more environmentally friendly than conventional heating systems?
An open-loop heat pump can supply the same quantity of heat as a conventional boiler whilst producing approximately 75% less CO2, emissions. There are sites where electrical supplies are provided from renewable sources such as photo-voltaic cells and if these are used in conjunction with a heat pump system, the CO2 emissions can be zero.
Q12. Do these systems contain any dangerous substances or contaminants?
Open loop systems simply abstract water from an aquifer and having removed heat from it, return the water into the ground.
Q13. Do these systems require a lot of servicing?
There is no need for regular servicing but we offer a service where we check the system operation annually.
Q14. How do the running costs compare to conventional alternatives?
As heat pumps are 3 to 5 time more efficient, the cost of running them is about 1/3 to 1/5 that of a conventional system. They are considerably more effective than electric and oil-fired systems, as are modern gas boilers; however a heat pump system is cheaper to run.
Q15. How much does the installation of an open-loop system cost?
Each system cost is site specific due to the size of heat pump required and prevailing hydro-geology. The initial outlay will be greater than that for a conventional heating and hot water system but this is off-set by considerably lower running costs. In addition, the government is about to announce the renewable heat incentive (RHI) which is expected to guarantee reimbursement of part if not all of your investment, provided you use a suitably qualified and accredited company such as H D Services.