Both Air Source and Ground Source Heat Pump systems currently have an initial high capital cost, compared with other conventional fossil fuel fuel central heating systems. However, it must be borne in mind that they often include many in-built features and special components, such as weather compensator systems, and sophisticated energy saving controls that are usually at additional cost to any basic fossil fuel heating system. They also usually include components  that would normally form part of the electrical installation, so the cost differential may not be as great as initialy thought.

 Remember the old adage, you only get what you pay for.

The Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) has an anticipated working life in excess of 25 plus years, this may in some cases be three times longer than basic fossil fuel heating plant. It's maintenance free, requires no flue or exhaust, so often a problem with conventional flued boilers, no ventilation requirement, no oil tank or concrete tank base, no fire partition if installed under the stairs for example, and no physical input from the user Being an electric unit it is extremely quiet in operation and offers enhanced performance levels over any standard heating plant. These costs and benefits all need to be taken into account when analysing overall installation benefits and costs.

With an operational efficiency around 500%, long operational life, little to no maintenance requirement, a correctly dimensioned system can easily pay back its initial capital outlay within 6 to 7 years, at current fuel prices. Any future escelation if fuel costs would improve the payback period.

Larger domestic and commercial users, whom previously burnt large amounts of fossil fuel, have seen payback periods within 23 months, as savings in excess of 83% have been attained. As with the domestic installations little or no maintenance costs are incurred on commercial installations.

Another advantage over fossil systems, is that some GSHP installations can offer cooling, this can be either passive or active cooling, and be via various means, including low air volume fan coils or our bespoke Geo-floor heating / cooling systems. As modern buildings become more, and better insulated, with draft proofing improved, the requirement is shifting from general building heating only to a combination of building heating and cooling.

Passive cooling is when the ground or ground water is utilised as the cooling source, active cooling is when the GSHP phisically chills the circulation waters using its compressor.

In commercial applications, a correctly dimensioned GSHP installation can provide heating and cooling for any sized building for a fraction of the overall cost of a chilled water or VRV air conditioning system. A new GSHP installation can be installed for substantially lower cost, have reduced operating / running cost, and much lower annual maintenance requirement than any normal refrigerant based air conditioning installation.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air Source Heat Pumps are cheaper to purchase and do not require any external ground  works for the slinky collectors or deep drilled energy probes so initially the installations appear considerably cheaper. They are best suited to installation in apartment blocks, and high density residential units. However with an annualised COP of between 2.8 and 3.4 (coefficient of performance) they are in the region of 50-60% less efficient than GSHP installations. During normal operation, and especially during winter, when they work the hardest, they need to defrost the external collector battery regularly using the inbuilt electric heated element. 

Typically, due to the low water volume of the equipment the systems often require a "volume expansion tank" of around 200 litres to be installed. This in conjunction with the 200 or 300 litre hot water store, control module and associated additional plumbing infrastructure add additional "bulk" to the installation using precious internal floor space and adding to the overall cost.

In a domestic situation the savings from an Air Source Heat Pump system, are typically in the region of 50% over conventional fossil fuel installations. Most average homes cost in the region of £500 -650.00 per year to heat.

Are any Grant Available?

In the United Kingdom, Ireland and most of Europe, a series of grants and incentives exist, unfortunately in the Channel Islands none of these are available at present.

Do I Need Planning Permission?

The answer is generally speaking no. Slinky collectors and ground probes can be drilled or dug on your property or adjoining agricultural land without planning permission. However, if you own a listed building, or, are a site of special interest, and you wish to install an air source heat pump in a prominent location it would be wise to consult with the planners before installation.

Do I Need to Inform The Environmental Dept if Drilling Near a Watercourse?

The answer is yes. We would advise the department in writing informing them of the proposed installation and method of energy extraction, they like to be advised of anything that could even temporarily alter the water flow or quality.   

What Factors Effect Heat Pump Performance?

The performance of all types of heat pump are effected by a number of factors and include the following;

       1 - The Climate and Location

       2 - The Type of Installation and Distribution System, and Requirements (i.e, Heating Only or Heating and Cooling    Combined).

       3 - The Temperature of the Heat Source.

       4 - Type of Heat Source, Air, Surface Soil, Lake Temperature, Depth of Energy Probe.

       5 - The Dimensioning of the Heat Pump, (over-sized units are inefficient and expensive to operate)

       6 - The Quality and Technical Standard of the Equipment. 

       7 - The Quality of the Heat Pump Control System.

If you require more information or a quotation please contact us, we have in excess of 60 installations completed or under construction and can offer design solutions to virtually any requirement.