Heat pumps absorb heat from the ground and transfer it to buildings for space heating and pre-heating water. A ground source heat pump system has three main elements - a ground loop buried underground, the heat pump unit, and a heat distribution system inside the building. There are three common types of ground loops - horizontal loops laid underground, vertical loops using deep boreholes, and slinky loops buried in trenches. The best applications for heat pumps are properties with low heating demands, which can use radiators, underfloor heating, or air ducts. Ground source heat pumps have few moving parts and can last over 40 years with proper maintenance.