Currently, our society has a dangerous and impactful reliance on fossil fuels. Powering our homes, vehicles and businesses, non-renewable energy sources have had a significant hand in environmental harm and the promotion of climate change. Thankfully, there are many green alternatives, including ground source heat pumps. In this article, you find out everything you need to know about ground source heat pumps and why they are a sustainable way forward to energy-efficient homes.
Ground Source Heat Pumps Explained
Drawing heat from the surrounding soil, ground source heat pumps work by gently using natural warmth to heat fluid that circulates through pipes which have been laid beneath your home. The fluid travels to a heat exchanger, which distributes the warmth around your building. On the other hand, by reversing the refrigerant flow, a ground source heat pump can provide cooler water, helping to keep a home temperature during the hotter months.
Uses of Ground Source Heat Pumps
The question is, how do ground source heat pumps send warmth into the home? In this section, you can learn three ways heat is absorbed into the property when it's needed.
Radiators
Keeping your home warm during the winter months is essential for a cosy and happy household. Radiators are instrumental in providing these conditions, gently yet effectively heating a space and keeping its inhabitants warm. A ground source heat pump will utilise the heat energy from outside the property to provide warmth through the radiator.
Underfloor heating
A more recent technological advancement, under-floor heating provides respite from cold feet on a winter’s morning. Ditching the socks and slippers becomes easy with underfloor heating provided by ground source heat pumps. As compatible technologies, ground source heat pumps can be used to directly help underfloor heating systems run effectively and efficiently. When used together, these systems can significantly reduce energy bills too.
Showers and Baths
While a cold shower can feel needed during these increasingly hot summer months, it can feel far from ideal during the chilly winter. To keep warm while bathing, it’s important to have a reliable method of heating your home water. Ground source heat pumps will provide a way to heat water which is being stored in a water cylinder, making hot water readily accessible at a moment’s notice.
The Installation Process
Ground source heat pumps require a thorough and professional installation process, required to ensure the system works as expected and intended. As the installation process calls for expertise, consider whether the business that you are selecting can offer you high-quality care. Read on to find out more about the different stages of the installation process.
Home Assessment
Before you can have your ground source heat pump installed, a team of experienced experts will need to survey your home. This check is carried out to ensure your property can support this form of home heating system properly, without damage occurring to your existing home and its function. They will also check the requirements of your household, such as obtaining information regarding your energy requirements.
Digging
Once you have received the all-clear, the process of digging can begin. An area will be designated to bury the pipes beneath, filled back in once the entire process has been completed. Depending on your chosen system, the excavation will either be completed horizontally or vertically. This process should not take excessive amounts of time, completed relatively quickly.
Pipe Installation
After the holes have been dug, installing the pipes is the very next step. These pipes will be filled with the relevant chemicals later in the process, helpfully exchanging the heat and providing warmth into the home.
Modifications
In some cases, the home will need to be fitted with a heat distribution system that is more compatible with the new ground source heat pump. This could be a new underfloor heating system, adapted to work with the size of the space. Similarly, the existing pipework may need to be checked for its suitability with the new heat pump system.
Heat Pump Installation
Once each other step has been fully completed, it’s time to install the new heat pump into the system. The professional will watch it work for a few moments, making sure that it runs exactly as it should. If this is not monitored, preventable issues may be encountered later on down the line, just too late.
The Benefits of Ground Source Heat Pumps
When compared to traditional home heating systems, the advantages of ground source heat pumps are numerous. In this section, you can learn about the particular benefits of implementing a ground source heat pump into your home.
Low Costs
The costs of traditional energy sources are steadily increasing, resulting in larger and larger bills for households. Often, this is difficult to afford and becomes unrealistic for some households, leading to tighter budgets and less comfortable living circumstances. Thankfully, ground source heat pumps are a low-cost alternative, helping homeowners keep their expenses low.
Silent
Besides having a negative impact on the environment, traditional methods of home heating can be prone to noisiness. Trying to relax during the evening is made difficult when non-renewable energy technology is creating excessive amounts of noise. Similarly, a loud system can lead to complaints from neighbours and visitors, creating a stressful environment to live in. Thankfully, ground source heat pumps are comparatively quiet, offering a more welcoming alternative.
Offers Cooling and Heating
While some systems can only provide a small range of temperatures, ground source heat pumps are able to provide both heating and cooling for a home. This results in the perfect indoor temperature, no matter what the conditions are outside.
Constant
While other types of renewable energy technology offer a greener alternative to traditional systems, not all systems work as well year-round. Solar panels, for example, make a great contribution to the reduction of energy consumption, however, they are not always suitable for every home. Ground source heat pumps can thankfully be used in a variety of places, and work efficiently consistently.
Increase Property Value
As the housing market remains competitive, it can be beneficial to add features to a home to help stand out from the competition, should selling the property become a likely possibility. Thankfully, the installation of a green home heating system is often appealing to prospective buyers who are searching for an energy-efficient property. Ground source heat pumps, therefore, are a worthwhile investment when planning for the future.
Sustainable
Unlike finite energy sources, such as fossil fuels and metals, renewable energy technologies, such as ground source heat pumps, provide a way for homeowners to heat their property with ease. Gas boilers are a popular and traditional home heating solution, however, they significantly contribute to carbon dioxide emissions. Ground source heat pumps, on the other hand, utilise the natural underground temperatures to heat and cool, making them a greener alternative for eco-conscious homeowners.
Maintaining Ground Source Heat Pumps
As with any large piece of technology that is integral to your home, it’s important to keep on top of maintaining your ground source heat pump for a fully energy-efficient home. Generally, it is advised to have your system checked by an expert at least once a year. Some conditions warrant an urgent check-up on your ground source heat pump, however. Read on to discover some of the situations that suggest you should contact an expert in home heating systems.
Strange Noises
Unusual sounds are not ordinarily associated with healthy machines, particularly those providing a domestic service. This includes fridges and freezers, as it suggests that something is wrong internally, especially if the product has yet to make the noise beforehand. If your ground source heat pump is making different sounds, it can be worth contacting an expert to take a look.
Leaking
Similar to fridges, leaking from an appliance can be a sign that it’s time to contact an expert. This includes ground source heat pumps, which utilise pipes underground in order to fully function. If any of these pipes are leaking, they could cause electrical fires if left untreated for too long. Spilt chemicals can also be dangerous, particularly in households with pets and children.
Stopped Functioning
If your ground source heat pump has stopped working entirely, either when used to heat or cool your home, it’s paramount to get this checked out. A ground source heat pump should benefit you and your home, so if it isn’t fulfilling its job it should be checked over. A renewable energy expert should be able to diagnose and address the issue, getting your system back up and running quickly.
Our Services
At Elite Renewables, we can help you achieve your ideal green home heating and cooling system with the implementation of our ground source heat pumps. These systems can be wonderful additions to any household, even for the largest of families. Or, if one of these home heating systems isn’t quite right for your home, we have several other available options, including air source heat pumps and EV charging.
Get In Touch
Please visit our website to view our past projects. Alternatively, get in touch with our team directly to find out more.
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