The secret to how the Ground Source Pump attains such high efficiency is in the way it converts low grade energy extracted from the collection field to high temperature water ready to heat your hot water, building or swimming pool.

The heart of the system is the GSHP units compressor, the compressor contains a very small amount of refrigeration grade liquefied gas such as R407C or Propane, when the liquid gas within the heat pump compressor is exposed to the warm brine it boils and evaporates. The compressor then increases the pressure acting upon the evaporated liquid to turn it into a hot gas under this added pressure. The hot gas passes though a condenser where the hightened temperature is extracted and transferred into the heating system. The cooled gas then goes though an expansion valve where the pressure is reduced and the gas transforms back to a liquid allowing the short cycle to be repeated over and over again.    

Most heat pumps are capable of providing both heating and cooling if required simultainiously, offering massive cost and environmental savings over comparable fossil fuel based plant and equipment.

Generally, GSHP units within the domestic sector of the market come in two options, option one, is a combined GSHP with integral hot water tank or option two (usually for the larger house) is a stand alone GSHP with a matched hot water accumulator tank.

The combined GSHP unit will typically have an average of 160 litres in a inbuilt hot water tank, physically its about the same size of your regular domestic vertical fridge freezer. This unit is usually 240v single phase and has an output capacity of between 4Kw and 12Kw. These combined GSHP's will happily heat a new built home up to circa 350 sq/mtrs (3,500 ft) with two bathrooms, kitchen, cloakroom and general domestic appliances.

For larger properties, or homes with 3,4 or 5 bathrooms where the increased hot water demand is required, a stand alone GSHP with a matched hot water accumulator tank would be the favoured design option. The VPA hot water accumulator tanks come in various sizes from 200 to 450 litres as standard, and for larger commercial installations, in modules or 500 litres that can be coupled together. A solar option is available where a secondary heating coil is included to allow pre-heating from a solar system or pellet boiler.

For rural properties, and sites located far away from the main electricity grid, and / or served by overhead power lines, 3 phase units maybe required as the starting currant of the scroll compressor is shared over the three phases and reduces the drag off the grid. A typical 12Kw 3-phase unit would have a starting currant of only 7.3 amps per phase, thus avoiding any significant disruption to the electrical disribution network.

The GSHP unit requires no actual phisical maintenance programme, other than a visual examination of the plant and brine levels, heating system pressure general reading of the systems controller. Also, being factory assembled the GSHP and all of the components are fully tested and checked before they leave the manufacturer. With only a couple of moving parts and now flues or naked flames to worry about the unit is virtually maintenance free.

 Also, being all electric the GSHP requires no ventilation, flue, fuel store or special conditions so often found as a pre-requisite with most fossil fuel appliances.

Many GSHP's come with remote access control as standard, some require the addition of a RCU module (remote control unit), from this the GSHP can be integrated and programmed via the Internet or mobile phone, which is ideal if the unit is installed in a holiday home.

If you require any further information please contact us.