How does the technology work?

At a depth of 1.5 meters below the ground surface the ground remains at a fairly constant temperature of 10 to 15 degrees centigrade.

In order to extract the heat from the ground one can dig a trench to a depth of 1.5 meters or greater and lay a plastic coil pipe in the trench or drill a deep borehole and install a long heat extraction probe.

The pipes or probes are then filled with a water/glycol mix and connected to the heat pump. The pump extracts the low heat from the ground via the water/glycol mix and delivers it to a thermal store for future use as hot water, heating, or cooling. Ground source heat pumps are generally more efficient that air source heat pumps.

Where can a ground source heat pump be installed?

A ground source heat pump would normally be installed in a plant room: a garage or small outbuilding. Consideration must given to the area taken up by the pipes and borehole proximity.