Ground and air source heat pumps - What Are They?

Ground source and air source heat pumps are an extremely efficient way of heating your home, or office. Whilst a top of the range gas boiler can achieve efficiencies of up to 97%, a ground source heat pump, in the right situation can be up to 400%- meaning that for every one unit of electricity you consume, your heat pump will provide you with four units of heat.

Heat pumps are not a new technology; they have been used for many years in off gas areas in the USA and Europe to provide cost-effective, reliable heating. Air source heat pumps look similar to traditional air conditioning units and collect low grade heat from the ambient air to warm your home. Ground source heat pumps use an array of pipe work to collect low grade heat from either the ground or a large body of water to warm your home.

Heat pumps are most efficient in well insulated, modern properties when powering an underfloor heating system. They can also, in some circumstances, provide cost effective heating to radiators and to heat domestic hot water, or swimming pools.

The single most important thing in getting the best from a ground, or air source heat pump, is making sure the system is designed correctly. It is all about putting the right technology in the right situation. Heat pumps are not always the answer, but where they are, when they are done right, they can be the cheapest form of active space heating out there. Talk to us and we will advise you on the most technology for your individual situation.