Ground Source and Air Source Heat Pumps Offered by RW Bell

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs)

Pipes are buried under ground in order to extract natural heat. This heat can then be used to heat radiators, underfloor heating and the hot water in your property.

A ground source heat pump circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze around a loop of pipe that is buried in your garden. Heat from the ground is absorbed into the fluid and then passes through a heat exchanger within the heat pump. The length of the ground loop depends on the size of your home, soil type and the amount of heat you need. Longer loops can draw more heat from the ground, but need more space to be buried. The pump needs electricity to run, but the idea is that it uses less electrical energy than the heat it produces. Typically 1KW of electric = 3KM of heat generated for use within property.

A typical system cost can be anywhere in the £10,000-£20,000 depending on the size of the installation. Running costs will also depend on a number of factors such as the size of your property and how well it is insulated.


Air source heat pumps (ASHP)

An external unit extracts heat from the outside air which in turn heats water within the property. It can get heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -15° C. Heat pumps have a slight impact on the environment as the require electricity to power the system, but the heat being extracted is constantly being renewed naturally making them environmentally friendly.

Installing a typical system costs around £5,000 to £12,000. Running costs will vary depending again on a number of factors such as the size of your home, how well insulated it is and what temperatures you are aiming to achieve.