subject: Switching To A Ground Source Heat pump As A Sustainable Heat Source [print this page] Switching To A Ground Source Heat pump As A Sustainable Heat Source
When the old heating system needs replacing, why not replace it with an earth friendly sustainable heat source like a ground source heat pump? You will use some electricity to run the heat pump, but your heat will come from the ground, not gas or oil. Your carbon imprint will go down as your heat bills drop. This system uses pipes filled with a mixture of water and antifreeze, looped in a trench in your garden to collect ground heat for your home. It is a heating system well worth thinking about.
How do I find out if a ground source heat pump will work for my home heating? You will want to contact energy experts like the Energy Saving Trust at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or the Heat Pump Association, for detailed information on heat pumps and energy savings. Some things you will need to consider are: Do you have the garden space to bury a ground loop? Is the garden space accessible to digging equipment? Is the ground right to dig a trench in? Is your house insulated well enough?
Ground source heat pumps generate a lower temperature of heat, so to work effectively, they need a home with good insulation and draught proofing. You may need to improve your home insulation. What heating fuel are you replacing? If you are on a gas network, heat pumps are not recommended. If you are replacing a coal or electric heating system, you can save money with a heat pump. How will you use the ground source heat pump to heat your home? You can use several different heating systems including larger radiators, underfloor heating or low temperature fan convectors.
How does this system work to get heat to my home? Heat pumps use pipes filled with water and antifreeze buried in the ground to extract the heat found there. The heated water is then run through a heat exchanger in a heat pump to get concentrated to a higher temperature. It circulates through your chosen heating system to heat your home and water. It is then circulated back through the ground to get more heat. The ground stays at a constant temperature all year so is a constant source of heat. What are the benefits of using a heat pump? You can reduce your home's carbon emissions compared to your old heating system. There won't be a need for fuel deliveries. A heat pump can heat both your home and your water. This system, once properly installed, needs little maintenance. Using this system can save you money. It is well worth looking into switching to ground source heat pumps. You can feel the satisfaction of not only saving money, but helping save the planet as well. Your home size, insulation quality and home heating system type will determine the costs of installing the whole system, and the savings afterward.
