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.

1. Environmental protection
measures
Plumbing Level 2

2. Heat pumps absorb heat from the ground
and then transfers it into a building to
provide space heating. They may also be
used to pre-heat domestic hot water.

3. Three important elements to a GSHP:
•ground loop,
•heat pump,
•heat distribution system.

4. There are also three types of ground
loop:
1.Horizontal
2.Vertical
3. Slinky

5. Horizontal
loops are laid
and then
covered

6. Vertical ground
loops have a
hole depth of
around 75 –
100m

7. Slinky ground
loops are buried
in a trench,
usually at around
1.5m depth

8. • Heat collector (loop) is buried in the garden
The heat pump is made up of:
• Evaporator – extracts the energy taken from the ground
• Compressor – takes the extracted energy and increases it
• Condenser – transfers the heat into the heating system
• Expansion valve – lets in small amounts of refrigerant to
prevent freezing.

9. The best applications for heat pumps are:
Low heat demand properties, which includes:
•Radiators (heating system)
•Underfloor heating
•Air ducts.

10. Soil conditions
such as particle
size and water
content
determine the
soils thermal
properties and
must be taken
into account.
Soil conditions will also determine the size of the
ground loop

11. • The more pipe used in a ground loop
the greater the heat output.
• The loop will typically form around
50% of the cost of the system.
• Under sizing would lead to the ground
loop running cool and at worst, become
unsustainable.

12. The size of the system and length of
loop depends on:
1.The building heat demand
2.The soil conditions on site
3.The type of ground loop used i.e.
(slinky, horizontal or vertical).

13. • Low heat demand, high insulation
• Type of heating system
• Ground space for trench or borehole
• Desire to be renewable and lower
carbon emissions
• Is there a cooling requirement.

14. GSHP are low in maintenance as systems have few
moving parts
Keep the filters clean and monitor the refrigerant
levels
A well designed system can have over a 40 year
lifespan.

15. 1. Ground, water or air source
2. Best for homes with a low heat demand
3. Ground space for trench or borehole
4. Soil type determines heat transfer
5. Radiators, underfloor heating or air heating
6. Not 100% renewable
7. Reversed for cooling
8. Low maintenance
9. System needs to be carefully sized by an experienced
engineer.