A ground source heat pump (GSHP) is designed to convert low-grade heat energy from the earth into usable heat energy to heat or cool your home. The way it does this is to take the low-grade heat energy and use it to evaporate a refrigerant, which is then pressurised to raise its temperature. Once this has happened the vapour then passes thorough a heat exchanger, heating up water for the central heating system, and the cycle begins again. Simply put, the heat pump amplifies the heat from the ground to heat your home.
For a single house a ground source heat pump is about the size of a standard fridge freezer and can be installed into any part of your house, inside or out. You also do not have to worry about it being noisy as heat pumps are very quiet, so apart from the heat it is providing, you won't even know its there. Also a GSHP has no emissions at all, so they do not require regular maintenance and health and safety checks that other heating systems need.
Ground source heat pumps are mainly used to heat houses via under floor heating, however it is possible to use a GSHP in homes with large radiators or a forced air system.
A ground source heat pump has a life span of about 30 years, this is over twice as long as a conventional boiler.
Ground source heat pumps are also a popular choice for commercial new build projects. With the government introducing new green energy legislation, using the ground to heat your development can help achieve and surpass the green energy targets.