How much does a Ground Source Heat pump cost to run?

For a horizontal collector you will need to install pipes 1m apart and 1.2m deep in the ground. The maximum length for a loop of pipe will be 400m but depending on the size of the heat pump required you may require 2 or more ground loops. The average system will require between 600 and 1200 square metres of land. This land must be clear of trees and buildings.

Water boreholes are generally only about 20 metres – 50 metres deep. A Geothermal borehole will need to be at least 100 metres deep and often more than 1 borehole is required.

If you are installing a ground source heat pump and you have limited space for collector pipe, then boreholes could be the solution you need.  Depending on your project will depend on how many boreholes you would need.

Due to the cost of drilling, testing, setting up the site, trenching back to the plant area etc, the estimated cost of drilling one borehole is around £18,000, if more than one borehole is required, subsequent boreholes would be less than this amount, around £4-£5,000 per borehole*

Boreholes are drilled to a depth of 100 – 150 metres. There can be 2 or more boreholes required dependent on the energy required for the property.

*These figures are accurate as at April 2022 and are subject to change.

For ground source heat pumps that are 16kw or above, a 3-phase electrical supply will generally be required.

Ground loops have an exceptionally long lifespan and are built to last 50-100 years.

Indoor components usually last up to 20 years – double that of oil or conventional gas boiler components.

A GSHP uses solar energy naturally stored in the ground. With a stable temperature of between 8 – 12 degrees throughout the year it is a perfect environment to extract energy from. The energy collected from either the ground or water source via collector pipes is converted into useable heat via refrigerant gases and a compressor. This useable heat is used to heat your home in the same way as a conventional boiler sends heat to the radiators, underfloor heating or hot water cylinder so it is ready whenever it is needed.

Our staff are very experienced with heat pump systems and will attend and identify potential problems – initially there will be a call our charge and then additional work and/or parts can be estimated for.

An example of a typical 4 bedroom property with 12 radiators, with a ground source heat pump installation will cost in the region of £32k – £35k (with horizontal ground collector) £50k – £55k (with boreholes)

If you are eligible, you could expect to receive government grant of £7,500 through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).

It is estimated you would benefit from fuel savings each year, depending on your current electricity provider unit rates.

The costs involved in installing a system include the following:

• Removal of the existing system.
• Custom design of a heating system for your property.
• Trenching for horizontal ground collector or drilling for boreholes.
• Installation of the ground source heat pump (unit fitted in a pump room).
• Installation of a new cylinder that has an increased size primary coil fitted.
• Installation of a buffer vessel (another cylinder for the heating system fluid).
• Replacement of the radiators with new, larger radiators.
• Replacement of the current heating controls.
• Electrical wiring of the new system. Often a new supply will need to be run from the consumer unit to the outdoor air source heat pump.
• Plumbing required to adapt the old heating and hot water systems to the new heat pump and radiators.
• Registration and certification for Microgeneration Certification Scheme so that you will be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Yes, we can fit a ground source heat pump to most properties, so long as there is enough land for the pipework to be laid outside for the collector or enough area of land to drill boreholes. As an example for a 4 bedroom property with 12 radiators, you would likely need 600sq metres of land or 2 x 150 metre boreholes.