Water Source Heat Pumps in The UK

Water source heat pumps take the residual heat stored in water systems and turn it into higher usable heat. The water source can include a fast running stream, a river, a lake, the ocean or a well (bore hole). It is the most efficient form of heat pump since the flow of water prevents the cooler returning flow from the heat pump reducing the temperature of the source. In a closed loop pipe circuit filled with a brine solution, by passing this relatively cold brine mixture through a heat exchanger (the evaporator) the temperature is transferred over to a HFC refrigerant which at this point is much colder than the brine, this refrigerant is then passed into the compressor, as with any gas compressed it generates heat this high temperature gas is then fed into another heat exchanger (the condenser)where the temperature is passed over to water pumped around our heating system. The refrigerant cycles back through the evaporator to start the process again.

The Heat Pumps main consumption of energy is electricity used to drive the compressor, the effectiveness of the electric used in the installation to obtain heat is measured by the Coefficient of Performance (CoP). A CoP of 3 indicates 1kWh of electric is used to obtain 3kWh of heating. The higher the CoP the more efficient the pump is running. A poorly designed and poorly installed system will reduce the CoP, leading to higher energy bills. Beware of undersized collectors, and “energy boosters” or immersion heaters built into the heat pump, they use a CoP of 1. You may be getting a bargain at the time, but you’ll pay for it for many years to come.

Great Investment

Get a good return on your investment, with the Renewable Heating Incentive due to begin in June 2011, it is expected to yield an inflation beating return of up to 12%, resulting in  most systems paying for themselves within 5 to 10 years. Current estimates of the RHI, predict a price of 7p for 1kWh of heat produced from a ground sources heat pump. Current electric prices of 12p and a heat pump with a CoP of 4 will cost 3p to produce 1kWh, earning you 4p profit for every kWh needed.  This will cut your fuel bills, and reduce your dependence on the ever increasing cost of oil and gas, future-proofing your energy bills to rising costs. Heat pumps also work well with under floor or wall heating, taking advantage of the lower running costs, increasing the efficiency of the heat pump, saving you more money.

I haven't got a water source

Water source heat pumps do require a water source, usually a fast flowing stream or a large volume of water such as a lake to work effectively. However, you may be accessible to the water table underground, by using bore holes to source your heat from the ground, where heat is sourced from one bore hole acting as a well, and another where water is returned. Although more efficient bore holes can be expensive, a more affordable option is an air source heat pump.

Designing Heat Pump systems for the UK's climate

All of our systems are custom designed to fit your needs and budget. Each installation is meticulously designed looking at your home to optimise the most out of your heating system and space, offering you value for money. Prices for installing heating systems vary according to system requirements and differ from house to house. For an accurate estimate on a custom design please contact us. To see examples of our work please see the case studies.