Heat Pumps – Geothermal, Air to Water, Exhaust Air
Heat pumps act like a fridge in reverse by extracting available heat energy from either the ground or the air using little electricity. Refrigeration technology has been around since Lord Kelvin pioneered its use in the last century, it just has not been utilized until recently in this way. This low cost heat energy is then stored in a thermal store to provide heating and/or hot water. The efficiency of heat pumps is due to their ability to use very little electricity to extract a lot of heat energy from the environment. This is commonly known as the Coefficient of Performance (COP). For example the heat pumps we have selected achieve a COP of 1:4.5, that is 1 Kw of electricity can provide an output of 4.5 kw of heat, saving up to 75% of energy costs.
Geothermal (ground source heat pumps)
Geothermal ground source heat pumps rely on the fact that a metre down into the earth, the temperature is stable. This heat energy is extracted from the earth by conduction using pipes which are positioned in 1m trenches, bore holes (up to 100m deep), and wells or lakes/rivers (water). The flow in the pipes takes the conducted heat back to the heat pump where the energy is efficiently extracted and stored in a thermal store.
- We will size the heat pump, ground loop or bore hole, thermal store and underfloor heating/radiators to ensure that heat demands are met.
- We will select heat pumps with the best COP’s (refer to introduction above).
- We can add heat recovery from the air to improve the efficiency of the ground source heat pumps.
- We can add systems that enable the heat pumps to provide cooling in warm or summer months.
- We have software to provide energy saving calculations and comparisons.
- We offer installations from 5 to 360 KW.
Air to Water
Air to water heat pumps extract heat energy freely available in the air, and store it in a thermal store for use in heating (e.g. underfloor heating) and hot water. We have selected a heat pump which compares favourably with many ground source heat pumps on the market today. i.e. with a very efficient COP. Normally situated outside the house/building, it therefore does not take up any valuable interior space and can continue extracting heat energy from the air down to at least -10 degrees Celsius. Therefore it can continue to offer great energy savings even in Northern Europe where it was designed. Sizes of 8 to 14 KW. Can be placed in series to increase power output beyond 14 KW.
Exhaust Air Heat Pump
A great innovation; this heat pump provides mechanical ventilation, hot water and heating for flats, small houses and spaces with a floor area of up to 150 sq. metres. It does all of this whilst only occupying the space of a standard fridge/freezer.
