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Zero-Carbon Emission

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Low Running Costs

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Incredibly Efficient

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Long Service Life

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Low Maintenance

What is a Ground Source Heat Pump?

 Ground Source Heat Pumps are generally more efficient than Air Source Heat Pumps but do come at a higher cost. Unsurprisingly, Ground Source Heat Pumps extract heat from the ground in a similar way to how Air Source systems extract from the air, although Ground Source Systems are the most efficient renewable energy solution available today.

Installation does require a lot of ground work to dig trenches to lay the pipe work, But once installed, this provides an unobtrusive and environmentally friendly heating solution.

Why choose Ground Source Heating?

Ground source heat pumps provide a clean and cost effective ways of heating homes and businesses, by using the renewable energy stored in the ground. Ground source heat pumps can be installed in most areas of the UK using a borehole system or a ground loop system.


The heat from the ground (or lake) is collected via a closed loop of heat collecting pipes (ground loops) to provide one of the most energy-efficient ways of providing heating and domestic hot water.

Ground Source Heating installations by Amber Heating icon

How does a Heat Pump Work ?

The only energy used by Ground Source Heat Pump systems is electricity to power the pumps. Typically, a Ground Source Heat Pump will deliver 3 or 4 times as much thermal energy (heat) as is used in electrical energy to drive the system.

As with Air Source Heat Pumps Ground Source Heating is a very efficient and cost effective alternative to LPG or Oil fired heating in rural areas.

We are surrounded by thermal energy, basically heat.  Heat will naturally flow from a warm place to a colder place, we need to reverse this to provide heat energy in a home when it’s cold outside we need the heat to flow from a colder place to a warmer place. And this is how it’s done.

When the pressure of a gas increases, it will increase the temperature. When the pressure decreases, the temperature decreases. It’s this simple relationship between pressure and temperature that is the key to how a heat pump works.

The heat pump contains a gas which is known as a ‘refrigerant’ and a heat pump uses electricity to compress this refrigerant, increasing the pressure and therefore the temperature. 

The refrigerant’s heat is transferred to the home through the heat exchanger, it cools down a little during the process.  The refrigerant is then allowed to expand so that it cools even further. It’s now cold enough to absorb more heat from outside and the process begins again.

The heat delivered to the heat exchanger can then be used to heat your home, through a central heating system using radiators or underfloor heating.

Benefits for Ground Source Heating

  • Lower fuel bills, especially if you are replacing conventional electric heating, LPG or oil-fired heating.
  • In most cases lowers home carbon emissions, reducing your carbon footprint.
  • Heating your home as well as your water
  • No more fuel deliveries or running out of fuel in the winter.
  • Low maintenance with only a yearly service required.
  • Eligible for government grant of £7,500.00

FAQ’s about Ground Source Heating Pumps

Ground source heat pumps do not require a lot of electricity. An efficient system can generate three to four times the heat energy in comparison to the electricity used.

Maintaining a ground source heat pump is relatively easy. An annual service will identify the most important issues and ensure it is in good working order.

Ground source heat pumps work when it’s cold. The ground loop system is buried deep enough not to be affected by top frost and take advantage of the natural heat stored in the Earth.

Ground source heat pumps can heat your radiators. They work best with larger radiators or those that conduct heat well.

well-insulated home is a must for this type of heating system. Being able to keep an ambient temperature in your home without too much effort is best.

Yes there are many benefits to installing a heat pump some advantages include:

  • Zero-carbon emissions
  • Low running costs
  • Incredibly efficient
  • Sustainable
  • Low maintenance
  • Long service life

If you plan to install a horizontal system in your garden you must have a large enough plot for the ground loops

The pump is also relatively large and installation in an outbuildings is best. The system works best when there is less space or temperature difference between the ground loops and the heat distribution system.

Not all properties will have suitable areas to install ground loops. The area would need to be clear of trees or outbuildings. Tree root systems cancause issues with ground loops so this is essential.

Another benefit of installing a ground source heat pump is it requires very little maintenance. The pumps themselves will typically last a similar period as a regular boiler.
The ground loop system can last as long as 70 years, therefore won’t require  replacement them for a long time.