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Ground Source Heat Pumps

Using energy from the ground to provide heating and hot water.

 

 

What is a ground source heat pump?

 

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) offer a highly efficient form of renewable energy and they can be used in residential properties or commercial buildings of almost any size or design. GSHPs are typically installed inside a property or in an external plant room, they're connected to a series of pipes called ground collectors which are buried in the earth outside. The ground collectors can be installed horizontally in trenches around 1.5 metres deep, or in boreholes around 100 metres deep. The heat pumps extract thermal energy from the ground to provide year-round heating, cooling and hot water.

 


 
Ground Source Heat Pump 3D Rendering

 

How does a ground source heat pump work?

 

GSHPs are installed indoors and powered by electricity making them clean and combustion free. The heat pump is connected to a series of pipes (ground collectors) laid in the ground outside the property, the ground collectors can be installed in horizontal trenches or vertical boreholes. The collectors circulate a fluid which absorbs the thermal energy from the ground which maintains a consistent 10-12°C temperature all year round. The fluid is then passed through a compressor which increases the temperature to a usable level before reaching a heat exchanger that transfers the heat to the distribution system including radiators, underfloor heating and hot water cylinders. 

MasterTherm heat pumps offer an intelligent automated heating system and integration with time of use electricity tariffs. All you need to do is set your preferred temperature once and your MasterTherm system will automatically optimise toward delivering your preferences as efficiently as possible whilst taking into account weather forecasts and the price of electricity to provide maximum comfort and additional savings of up to 35% on your energy bill - on top of the already low cost of running a heat pump.

 

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The Benefits of a Ground Source Heat Pump

 

  •  A more environmentally-friendly heating system with excellent year-round efficiency
  •  Reduces your monthly energy bill
  •  Clean and combustion free
  •  Specially insulated for quiet operation
  • Functionality to also provide passive and active cooling
  •  Suitable for buildings of all sizes from residential to commercial
  •  Works with a variety of heat distribution systems including underfloor heating, radiators and fan coil units
  •  Requires minimal maintenance and has a long lifespan of around 25 years
  •  No need for fuel cards or fuel deliveries
  •  Receive government financial benefits such as the Renewable Heat Incentive

 

MasterTherm Ground Source Heat Pump - Silver
AquaMaster inverter Ground Source Heat Pump

 

 

 

 

Our AquaMaster Inverter Water/Ground Source Heat Pump

 

With its robust design and outstanding efficiencies, our AquaMaster Inverter offers state of the art performance levels which can be applied to use in residential and commercial buildings of any size or design. Equipped with weather compensation, solar thermal integration and the ability to offer simultaneous heating and cooling, it uses intelligent zone control and automatic optimisation to deliver year-round comfort. Available for both ground source and water source projects.

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FAQs About Ground Source Heat Pumps

What is the efficiency of ground source heat pumps?
MasterTherm ground source heat pumps boast market leading SCOP’s (seasonal coefficient of performance) ratings. A prime example is our AquaMaster Inverter 26i 3-9kW Inverter ground source heat pump with a SCOP of 4,83. A well-performing heat pump will produce around 3-4kWh of heat for every 1KW or electricity used, this is an efficiency of 300-400% compared to a new gas boiler which has an efficiency of 90%.
What are the space requirements?
For residential properties, heat pumps are usually installed in utility rooms, airing cupboards, garages or outbuildings. For horizontal ground collectors a trench measuring at least 100 metres away and 100 metres back is usually required. Boreholes require less space as the holes are only around 20cm across, however there needs to be enough space for a drilling rig to access the site.
Will the heat pump heat the house in freezing weather?
Yes. Ground source heat pumps deliver heat all year round, even in freezing conditions.
Can ground source heat pumps cool?
Yes, ground source heat pumps can provide natural (passive cooling) or active cooling which is more in-line with traditional air conditioning. Using a heat pump for cooling often space, time and money as you won't need to install two separate systems.
How do you size a ground source heat pump?
It's important to correctly size a ground source heat pump, if it's output is too low you may not reach your preferred temperatures and if it's too high your system becomes less efficient which means you won't achieve the energy savings your property has the potential for. To correctly size a heat pump, heat loss and heat load reports should be carried out and the system designed with appropriate hot water storage and heat distribution such as underfloor heating or radiators. Generally a well insulated house requires 1 kilowatt of heat for every 25m2 which requires heating.
Can ground source heat pumps work with radiators?
Yes ground source heat pumps can work with radiators, however the radiators should be correctly sized for the system. Ground source heat pumps can also work with fan coil units and underfloor heating.
How long does a ground source heat pump last?
Ground source heat pumps have a long lifespan, lasting around 25 years or more for the heat pump and 100 years for the ground collector.
Is a heat pump easy to control and use?
Yes, MasterTherm heat pumps can be controlled online via your internet browser or via the MasterTherm smartphone app. Once you programme your preferred temperatures, the heat pump will automatically operate to deliver your preferences as efficiently as possible.