Description
What is
a ground floor heat pump?
A ground
floor heat pump, also known as a ground source heat pump, is a regenerative
heating system that uses underground pipes to extract low-temperature solar
energy stored in the ground or water and compress that energy into higher
temperatures. Ground source heat pumps provide 100% of the building's heating
and hot water year-round
Are
ground source heat pumps more efficient than air source heat pumps?
Yes,
ground source heat pumps are more efficient than air source heat pumps. Ground
temperatures in the UK typically stay between 8°C - 12°C, while winter
temperatures, especially in the morning and evening when heating is needed, are
usually much cooler. During these times, it is more efficient to extract heat
from the ground than from the air.
How much
is a ground source heat pump?
Ground
source heat pumps typically cost between £3,500 and £6,000. Installation costs
are generally higher than alternative heating systems, but when compared over
the product life cycle, ground source heat pumps are more cost-effective and
carbon-efficient than alternative heating systems.
What is
a ground source heat pump?
This is
our Vertical series. It is 114.5 cm high and is designed to be placed in a
utility room or kitchen cabinet. It will work on most large single properties
and won't make any more noise than your refrigerator.
Ideal
for smaller properties, the Horizontal collection can be placed under cabinets
or under stairs, making it ideal for apartments and small homes. It is 55.5 cm
tall.
How does
a ground source heat pump work?
Heat
flows naturally from warm to cool places. Ground source heat pumps take
advantage of these physical properties by circulating a cold fluid through a
surface array of pipes in the ground or in the water. It absorbs low-grade
ambient energy from external heat sources such as rocks, soil, lakes and
streams.
The
ground source heat pump then compresses and condenses this free energy to a
higher temperature and transmits it to the property's heating and hot water
systems.
After
the energy absorbed at the surface is given to the heat pump, the fluid
continues to circulate back to the underwater pipe, where the cycle starts all
over again.
How the
heat pump works
1. The
cold water antifreeze mixture is pumped to the ground through a series of
energy absorbing pipes called a ground array. The circulating array's
antifreeze mix is continuously heated by the low-grade heat from the ground
as heat naturally flows from warmer to cooler locations.
2. After
the temperature rises, the antifreeze mixture is sent to a heat exchanger
called an evaporator.
3.
Inside the secondary seal side of the evaporator heat exchanger there is a
refrigerant that acts as a heat transfer fluid. When the water antifreeze
mixture enters the evaporator, the energy absorbed from the ground is
transferred to the refrigerant, which begins to boil and turn into a gas.
The
refrigerant never physically mixes with the water antifreeze mixture. They are
separated like a sandwich by the plates of the heat exchanger that allow heat
transfer.
4. Then
this gas is sent to the compressor. The pressure of the refrigerant gas in the
compressor rises, causing the gas temperature to rise.
5. The
hot refrigerant gas then flows into a second heat exchanger called the
condenser, which has an identical set of heat transfer plates.
6. The
condenser provides enough hot water to meet the hot water needs of the space
heating system and the property. After transferring heat, the refrigerant gas returns
to liquid.
7. The
liquid is then passed through an expansion valve at the end of the cycle to
reduce its pressure and temperature, ready to restart the cycle.
What are
the benefits of a ground source heat pump?
1.
Eligibility for Incentive Returns
Heat
pumps play an important role in achieving net zero emissions targets. To
encourage the adoption of renewable heating, domestic projects using Micro
Generation Certification Scheme (MCS) approved ground source installations
receive a seven-year revenue incentive through the domestic RHI.
2. Low
carbon emissions and improved air quality
Ground
source heat pumps are highly efficient and emit no emissions, making them a
low-carbon alternative to systems that burn fossil fuels.
According
to statistics, 17,000 premature deaths could be prevented each year by reducing
mortality and disease associated with poor air quality. Ground source heat
pumps do not produce particulates, oxides of nitrogen (NOx) or oxides of sulfur
(SOx) - all of which contribute to air pollution.
It
doesn't stop there. The more renewable energy sources like solar and wind
contribute to the grid, the lower the carbon content of electricity. This means
that a fraction of the electricity consumed by ground source heat pumps will
become less and less over the next few years.
3.
Efficient and affordable heating
You can
save around 30-50% on your heating bill compared to oil or LPG.
Ground
source heat pumps are powered by electricity and can provide 3 to 4 kW of
renewable energy for every 1 kW of electricity consumed. This efficiency makes
ground source heat pumps the most energy-efficient heating technology,
resulting in lower energy bills and lower carbon emissions.
4.
Release heat from the ground
From
rivers to rocks, ground source heat pumps absorb solar energy from a variety of
natural resources. Unlike fossil fuels, ground source heat pumps offer a
modern, clean and sustainable way to harness natural energy from underground.
You can even draw energy from your own back garden.
5. Install
on your property
A ground
source heat pump uses heat from outside your property. However, the heat pump
itself is safely installed within the property - just like a conventional
boiler. No louder than kitchen appliances like dishwashers, heat pumps are easy
to install in a fume hood or kitchen cabinet.
6. A
practical and safe alternative to fossil fuels
Ground
source heat pumps have no annual maintenance requirements, require minimal
maintenance, and eliminate the hassle of fuel delivery.
Compared
to traditional gas boiler, oil or LPG systems, ground source systems are less
susceptible to rising fuel prices or threats to energy security. They also use
a non-combustible fuel source, so there is no fire risk.
7. Smart
heating
When
combined with smart controls, a ground source heat pump can save you even more
on your heating bills. Smart Heating uses attribute physics and preferences to
create the heating schedule you want. It can take into account the cheapest
time to use electricity – for example, running a heat pump when grid demand,
price and carbon are lowest.
8.
Applicable to various properties and projects
Heat
pumps can be installed in any building, from new to old, from urban to rural,
challenging the misconception that they only apply to new buildings.
Both new
and existing properties gain the low carbon and affordable benefits of ground
source heat pumps. Boats, businesses, schools, towers, vacation homes, barn
conversions, listed homes—you name it, a ground source heat pump can almost
certainly heat it.
9.
Cooler in summer
A ground
source heat pump can generally provide active or passive cooling for any
property. Whether passively transferring the raw temperature of the ground to a
building, or actively circulating cooling water, cooling is a useful feature
for commercial applications or summer homes.
10.
Compatible with other renewable technologies
Ground
source heat pumps can be used with other forms of renewable technologies or
waste heat sources to further increase efficiency, reduce costs and be part of
a larger solution. How about using the waste heat from the data center and
providing cooling at the same time, or using your own on-site generation of
excess electricity?
To make
your heating 100% renewable, the heat pump can be powered by on-site solar and
wind energy for self-sufficiency. They can even absorb energy from sources like
wastewater -- as long as it's deep enough.
What are
the disadvantages of ground source heat pumps?
The main
disadvantage of installing a ground source heating system is the initial setup
cost. These are aided by various funding options.
Energy -
as long as it's deep enough.
Can a
ground source heat pump provide hot water?
Yes,
ground source heat pumps are capable of providing hot water up to 60°C.
The maximum
output temperature of a heat pump depends on many factors, including flow
through the domestic hot water cylinder coil and floor temperature.
Common Problem:
1. Is
the heat pump noisy?
Ground
source heat pumps - especially the smaller ones - are quiet. They are often
confused with air source heat pumps, which tend to run very loud outside due to
their fans.
Different
sizes of heat pump noise will vary. However, due to the innovative insulation
and advanced design of the Leomon heat pump, noise is not a common problem. In
fact, the Leomon range of heat pumps has some of the quietest ground source
heat pumps on the market.
2. Does
the heat pump work in cold weather?
yes.
Cold weather should not affect the performance of the ground source heat pump.
Regardless of the outside temperature, the ground maintains a stable
temperature throughout the year; just 1.2m below the ground, it remains a
fairly constant 8-12°C. This means your ground source heat pump can provide you
with efficient heating and hot water no matter the weather.
Air
source heat pumps lose efficiency in winter and when outdoor temperatures drop
at night.
3. What
maintenance does the ground source heat pump need?
As a
non-combustion heating system, ground source heat pumps have no annual maintenance
requirements. It requires very little maintenance, and the unit is installed
safely in the home, away from damaged external components.
Important
Tips for Minimal Maintenance
Over the
20-year lifespan of a heat pump, it's wise to check its performance, just like
any other heating system. To prepare for the heating season, any installer can
perform a simple system check that includes:
1).
Check the collectors to make sure they are absorbing the best energy
2).
Review room stats and programmers for distribution systems to ensure they are
functioning properly
3). Make
sure any components that charge the battery are charged
4). Make
sure the system pressure is higher than 2 bar
5). Test
the inflation pressure of the expansion vessel of the heating system
6). By
maintaining your heat pump, you can ensure it is in top condition. In doing so,
it 7). Maintains energy efficiency, continues to save you on heating bills, and
ensures and optimizes ongoing payments for renewable thermal incentives.
4. Is it
difficult to install a heat pump?
Do not.
For a competent heating engineer or plumber, installing a ground source heat
pump is actually easier than installing a gas boiler!
Basic
works, such as drill holes or trenches for collectors, can be done by subcontractors.
This is external work handled by experienced foundation specialists, separate
from the heat pump installation itself.
Heat
pump installations cause minimal disruption to occupants or businesses. Most of
the work is done outside, and installing a heat pump on a property is no
different than installing a boiler. Leomon's heat pumps are designed to be easy
to install as they are specially manufactured for UK properties.
5. Do
heat pumps require planning permission?
Most
ground source heat pump installations are classified as permitted to develop -
meaning they do not require planning permission. However, planning permission
is required in some cases. For example, properties with multiple heat pumps
installed, or projects with ground-level arrays installed over a distance
greater than 0.5 hectares.
Ground
source heat pumps are designed for quiet operation. They can be installed
inside with no visual impact on the property. Air source heat pumps, on the
other hand, are installed on the exterior of the property. They can be noisy
and affect the appearance of the property, which is why they usually require
planning permission.
Why
choose a Leomon ground source heat pump?
Suitable
for all kinds of buildings
Ground
source heat pumps are easy to install and perfectly compatible with UK
buildings, schools, towers and more.
Comfortable
technical support
Whether your Leomon heat pump is new or used, each unit comes with additional technical support for years to come. If you need it, our pre-installation and post-installation support team is always here for support or advice.
