Air Source & Ground Source Heat Pumps

Here at Little Green Planet, we are experts in the three main types of heat pumps – Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP), Water Source Heat Pumps (WSHP) and Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP).

Heat pumps are already a proven and vastly popular solution throughout even the coldest countries in mainland Europe; in Sweden alone, 97% of all new housing projects use them as their source of heating. However here in the UK houseowners and developers have only recently started waking up to their overwhelming benefits of heat pump systems. Why? Not only are they an efficient form of heating, but reserves of fossil fuels are finite and Carbon Dioxide emissions are continually contributing to climate change. Heat Pumps are operational around the world, producing safe, reliable heating and cooling. When used in conjunction with a green electricity supplier, Heat Pumps can be a greenhouse gas emission free heating method.

HEAT PUMP BENEFITS

Heat Pumps don’t feature an open flame, therefore guarding against any possible fuel leaks or carbon-monoxide poisoning
Heat is available whatever the weather, day or night
No need for an expensive gas connection or an unsightly fuel tank
Can be used to heat a swimming pool or self contained out-building
The average coefficient of performance (CoP) is between 3-4 units, this means that for every 1kW used to run the heat pump 3-4 kW of usable heat energy can be produced. Well designed systems can even provide CoPs of up to 5.

Ground Source Heat Pump

Ground Source Heat Pumps are dependent on an area surrounding a property. The cheapest method for ground source heat pumps is a horizontal loop which requires a large land surface area (typically 2.5 times the square meterage of the house as a very approximate average). If there isn’t enough land available then the alternative would be to create a vertical closed loop system. Both offer the similar efficiencies; each have their advantages.

Water Source Heat Pump

A Water Source Heat Pump is most suitable when there is a water supply near by such as a river, lake or a borehole (these can be drilled by us dependant on water content of land). A water source can be the most efficient form of heat pump as the water is passed directly through the heat pump from from the source. Additional permissions are sometimes required though which can often delay such projects

Air Source Heat Pump

Air Source Heat Pumps are a great solution where space is at a premium or where there is no garden. They can be installed anywhere where there is a constant access to outside air. This can range from; being rested on the ground outside or suspended on a bracket on a wall.

These are the cheapest form of heat pump to install but the least efficient.

Air Source Heat Pump

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air Source Heat Pumps are the latest technical innovation in energy efficient heating in the UK. Very popular in mainland Europe, heat pumps provide clean, maintenance free renewable heating. Here in Scotland there is a massive increase in interest for this solution.

The pump pulls ‘low-grade’ energy from the external air and converts that energy into an effective heating and hot water solution for your home or office. For every 1kW of electricity fed into a heat pump unit you could get 3kW of heating energy or more. Air Source Heat Pumps are now more affordable than ever due to an increased focus on renewable energy and the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

The Benefits

There are many benefits of installing an Air Source Heat pump, these include saving money on your energy bills and the potential to provide an income over a seven year (domestic) or twenty year (non-domestic) period via the governments renewable heat incentive (RHI).

The system also needs little maintenance, is suitable for most properties and can be retro fitted to an existing wet heating system. There are interest free loans of up to £10,000 available from energy savings trust Scotland at present, as well as being eligible for government RHI payments.

Fit and forget technology

Our air source heat pumps convert heat from the air outside which can then be used as part of your central heating system or to provide dedicated heaters for your home.Air source heat pumps are great for lowering your fuel bills and possibly even provide you with an income through government grants. They are perfect if you have little appetite for maintenance as they require very little and can be ‘fit and forgotten.’

Concerned about carbon emissions

Air source heat pumps lower the carbon emissions of your home by effectively replacing the fossil fuel you are currently dependent on and you have the added benefit of not needing fuel deliveries. Air source heat pumps can require planning permission and we can help you through this process making it even easier for you to save the environment and your fuel bills.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

A Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) is a refrigerant based system, and is similar to how your refrigerator at home works. The system can absorb low grade heat from the ground or water, and raise its temperature efficiently to be suitable for space heating and/or hot water.

A ground source heat pump system and can provide water temperatures of up to 65ºC (without backup electric heater) utilizing ground or water temperatures as low as -5ºC. These systems have been used in Scandinavia for many years are now popular here in Scotland in particular where there is space to fit it.

The Benefits

There are many benefits of using a ground source driven heat pump technology to deliver effective, low carbon heating and hot water. It helps achieve renewable energy targets, is capable of reducing running costs and CO₂ emissions, is easy to design, install and maintain and can work independently or in conjunction with other systems.

For every 1kW of electricity fed into a heat pump unit you could get 3kW of heating energy or more. There are interest free loans of up to £10,000 available from energy savings trust Scotland at present, as well as being eligible for government RHI payments.