The Facts
• Ground source and heat pumps extract solar energy
stored in the ground, using either ‘slinky’ pipe
buried just 1-2 metres below ground or vertical bole holes
up to 75m in depth.
• The pipes contain an anti-freeze solution, which absorbs
low-grade heat energy and carries the energy back to the heat
pump. Here the refrigerant circuit transfers – or pumps – from
low-grade to high-grade heat, via a compressor.
• These Ground Source Heat pumps generally use only 1kW
of electricity to generate 4kW of heat output; often much better
levels are reached.
• Heat pumps are suitable for some older houses but ideally
for running under floor heating, we are limited to 11kw by
single-phase electricity. Higher output heat pumps are available
but these require 3 phase electricity.
