Ground Source Heat Pumps
Your energy consumption for heating will be lowered up to 75% with the use of NIBE ground source heat pumps.
NIBE ground source heat pumps come in a variety of sizes from 6kW to 60kw and like the NIBE air source heat pump range, can be docked together for larger buildings giving a total output of 540kW. The range includes units with integral hot water tanks and several accessories to cover all applications. We offer a comprehensive line of unvented hot water tanks and buffer tanks which work seamlessly with the Heat pump systems.
How does a ground source
heat pump work?
The earth absorbs and stores heat from the sun year after year, providing us with a constant source of naturally renewed energy. Just a few feet under the ground, there is a constant average temperature of between 4˚C and 12˚C. This trapped energy represents a vast reserve of low-grade heat waiting to be tapped. The ground source heat pump gathers heat from the solar energy stored underground, either using collectors buried at a shallow depth, or from boreholes deeper underground.
he heat is transferred from the ground to the heat pump using a mixture of water and an environmentally friendly anti-freeze solution. It circulates through the closed loop, absorbing thermal energy from the earth and carrying it to the heat pump. The refrigerant circulates in the heat pump and thus the heat from the ground is retained and converted into high-grade heat to be released into your home via an underfloor heating system, water-based radiators and into your hot water tank.
The pipes for transporting heat from the energy source to your home contain a solution of water mixed with anti-freeze. This means that even in the depths of winter, you can rest assured the heat pump will keep doing its job! It is possible for the NIBE ground source heat pump to give you four functions in one; heating, cooling, domestic hot water and ventilation. Water-borne distribution of heating takes place via radiators or an underfloor heating system; cooling takes place via fan-coils or the same underfloor system.
For more information go to www.nibe.co.uk
The Heat Source
The term “ground source” covers four different heat sources: rock, surface soil, ground water or lake. The one that suits your location is determined by factors such as the building’s energy needs, the current heating system and the kind of terrain the house stands upon and the amount of land available. In all four cases, the heat pump concentrates the stored energy from one of these sources in such a way as to provide the hot water for radiators, underfloor heating, baths and showers.
Exploring Rock
In the lower subsoil of the so called “near surface geothermal layer” lies a heat source with an almost constant temperature that can be utilised all year round. The heat pump collects the stored solar energy from a collector in a hole drilled in the rock (this is using a ground probe). The depth of the hole can vary between 90 – 200 metres, depending on the size of heat pump selected and on local building regulations.
Exploring Surface Soil
During the summer, solar heat is stored in the soil. This is either directly absorbed as insulation or as heat from rain and the air from the near surface layer of soil. The heat pump collects this stored solar energy from a buried collector (surface collector or ground loops). That is, a hose filled with antifreeze, and buried at a depth of about 1m – 1.5m. The length of hose varies between 250 and 400 metres depending on the size of the heat pump selected. Using this energy for heating is a cost effective method. The highest yield can be obtained from soil with high water content.
Exploring Ground Water
Ground water can also be utilised as a heat source since it has a temperature of between 4˚C and 12˚C all year round. The heat pump collects stored solar energy from the ground water. Normally, there is one well for drawing up water and one for returning it. (these wells are similar to ground probes).
Exploring Lake Collectors
If your home is built beside a water source such as a lake, heat from the lake water can be extracted using a surface soil collector anchored at the bottom of the lake.