Groud source heat pumps don’t get half as many mentions as air source heat pumps, but they’re a very worthy technology in their own right.

If you’re lucky enough to have a good-sized plot of land, then a renewable ground source heat pump could be a great option for you and your home.

In this article, we’ll be discussing ground source heat pump costs – both the initial installation cost and the running costs.

As with any home improvement project, the cost of installing a ground source heat pump will vary depending on a number of factors.

The size of your property, the type of system you choose, and even the climate you live in can all have an impact on the overall cost.

That said, it’s important to remember that whilst the initial outlay for a ground source heat pump might be higher than other heating options, the running costs are significantly lower.

Ground Source Heat Pump How Does It Work? (Explained)

Ground source heat pumps, as the name implies, use ground heat to produce heat and hot water in a low-carbon, energy-efficient manner. Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are appliances that are housed inside a building and run on electricity.

A ground source heat pump takes up more space than an air source heat pump. A typical horizontal system needs around 700 square meters of land area.

A plant room

You’ll need a plant room to install the ground source heat pump system and equipment inside your home.

A plant room usually requires a 1 x 2/2.5 meter footprint, depending on the system size. This should be taken into account before the commencement of the work.

Boreholes

Drilling a ground source heat pump borehole. A borehole is a hole bored between 60 and 200 meters deep. The diameter of a borehole is usually around 110 to 150 millimeters, depending on the type of machine used to dig the shaft.

Piping

Ground source heat pumps require several pieces of piping, called a loop, to be buried underground.

To create a ground loop, dig a trench up to 200 meters long and six inches deep, then bury the line in the earth.

Ground loops vary in size but are generally about 200 meters long. Because many homes require two or three of them, as well as space between each of them, 700-800 square meters is suggested for operating.

Related: Is Your Heat Pump Short Cycling? Here’s How You Fix It!

The Cost Of A Ground Source Heat Pump (Gshp)

How much does it cost to install a ground source heat pump?

The cost of a ground source heat pump is generally between £8,000 and £12,000. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the investment might be anywhere from £10,000 to £18,000 when you include installation costs.

The cost of a ground source heat pump varies by manufacturer, model, and size. In addition to the ground source heat pump itself, you’ll need a new heat distribution system (larger radiators or underfloor heating), a hot water cylinder, and pipes.

Because heat pumps generate less heat than boilers, they must use bigger radiators or underfloor heating. As a result of this, even though the room is heated more efficiently overall.

Related: How Much Does A Heat Pump Cost To Install And Run?

Installing a heat pump in an existing home

Heat pumps may be used in almost any house, but there are some factors to consider, particularly when it comes to insulation.

To allow the most amount of efficiency from a heat pump, your home should be well-insulated to keep in as much heat as possible.

A poorly insulated home will require a larger heat pump to compensate for the heat loss, which may be more expensive to install and operate.

The government established the "Green Homes Grant Scheme" in 2020 to assist homeowners to achieve greater energy efficiency through improved insulation.

Ground source heat pump costs in Scotland and Wales

The cost of installing a ground source heat pump in Scotland and Wales is the same as it costs to install one in England. There is no difference in installation cost.

The average price of a ground source heat pump in the United Kingdom is £8,000 to £12,000.

On the high end, you might pay up to £18,000 for a top-of-the-line system with all the bells and whistles.

Ground source heat pump cost in Northern Ireland

The cost of installing a ground source heat pump in Northern Ireland is the same as it costs to install one in the UK. However, the difference in the grants that are available to offset the cost may make it more expensive in Northern Ireland.

The cost of vertical ground source heat pumps

The most expensive type of ground source heat pump is a vertical GSHP with boreholes, which may cost between £30,000 and £45,000. It is more expensive because it requires more drilling and piping.

A vertical GSHP is composed of a series of pipes that are inserted into the ground at depths of 150 to 200 meters.

The cost of drilling boreholes depends on a number of factors, but it is usually between £25 and £40 per meter. Grouting the pipe and moving the plant equipment are additional expenses in addition to the drilling. A good rule of thumb is £4,000 to £6,000 per borehole, although this varies considerably.

The boreholes are then filled with a water/antifreeze mixture, which circulates through the system and transfers heat to or from the ground, depending on the season.

Additional costs when retrofitting a ground source heat pump

One of the main additional costs of installing a GSHP is replacing radiators or installing underfloor heating. These costs can range from £2,000 to £8,000 depending on the size of your home.

You might also need to replace your existing boiler with a heat pump compatible, which could cost an additional £1,500 to £3,000.

The cost of equipment and plumbing can be anticipated early on, but the amount of disruption to the building's fabric and the need to replace existing emitters may all contribute to higher costs. Overall installation expenses might rise to around £35,000.

Expect that the cost of removing the old boiler will be deducted from your budget. There will also be a fee for removing the fuel storage tanks, concrete base, and fuel pipes when replacing oil or LPG heating fuels.

How Efficient Are Ground Source Heat Pumps?

Although modern condensing boilers may operate at 90% efficiency, a ground source heat pump can reach a 400 percent efficiency. Because, unlike boilers, heat pumps deliver more energy than they consume - specifically from electricity - the difference in efficiency is significant.

Add to the mix underfloor heating, which can be up to 30 percent more efficient than conventional radiators, and you've got a system that could save you a considerable amount of money on your energy bills.

While the initial investment for a GSHP may be higher than that of a boiler, the long-term savings are significant.

With proper maintenance, your heat pump could last up to 25 years, making it a wise investment for the future.

Load-Shifting Ground Source Heat Pumps

Load-shifting is a method for controlling energy use by switching between peak and off-peak times when the cost of power is lower. Storage technologies such as batteries or thermal energy storage tanks are used to accomplish this.

The advantage of load-shifting is that it can help you avoid paying higher rates during peak demand hours. It can also help reduce your carbon footprint and lower your overall energy costs.

To load-shift with a ground source heat pump, you would need to have a thermal energy storage tank. This could be an above-ground or underground tank.

The tank would be filled with water that has been heated by the heat pump. The water is then used to heat your home during peak demand hours when the cost of electricity is higher.

The advantage of using a thermal energy storage tank is that it can store heat for longer periods of time than a battery. This means that you can heat your home even when the heat pump is not running.

Is a Ground Source Heat Pump Worth the Cost?

Ground source heat pumps are low carbon heat sources that are gaining popularity due to their high efficiency and low operating costs, making them well worth it in the long run.

The cost of installation will vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of property, its size, and the existing heating system.

If you are considering installing a ground source heat pump, we recommend that you get in touch with a qualified installer to get a quote.

They will be able to advise you on the best type of system for your needs and provide a detailed costing.

Do Ground Source Heat Pumps Qualify for a Grant?

Grants are not an option at the moment in the UK for financing the cost of installing a ground source heat pump in your home or commercial property.

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) used to be the main financial incentive for installing renewable heating systems in the UK. However, the RHI was closed to new applicants on 31st March 2022.

The boiler upgrade scheme 

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) (RHI has been phased out) has gone live to assist homeowners in England and Wales finance the up-front costs of installing a heat pump. Ground source heat pumps will receive £6,000 in grants under the £450m plan.

Summary

As you can see there are advantages and disadvantages to GSHP. The cost can be higher to install, but the long-term savings are significant. With proper maintenance, your heat pump could last up to 25 years, making it a wise investment for the future.

You can also try load-shifting to help avoid paying higher rates during peak demand hours and to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your overall energy costs.

If you are considering installing a ground source heat pump, we recommend that you get in touch with a qualified installer to get a quote.

They will be able to advise you on the best type of system for your needs and provide a detailed costing.

At the moment, there are very few grants available in the UK for financing the cost of installing a ground source heat pump in your home or commercial property.

However, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) has gone live to assist homeowners in England and Wales finance the up-front costs of installing a heat pump. Ground source heat pumps will receive £6,000 in grants under the £450m plan.

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Passionate about helping households transition to sustainable energy with helpful information and resources.

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