Ground source heat pumps are a eco-friendly energy source which generate heat by using the natural heat in the earth underneath the surface. They function using piping below the ground through which fluid is distributed. This fluid extracts the heat from the ground which is then compressed in order to heat water that can be used in domestic heating, either radiators or underfloor heating. Ground source heat pumps are ideally partnered with underfloor heating or large radiators as they produce hot water at a marginally lower temperature than standard non-renewable boilers.

Ground source heat pumps call for a reasonably large amount of outside space to lay down the pipework. Typically a domestic system will need 2 trenches around 30-40 metres in length. There is also an option to install a vertical borehole in locations where outdoor space is inadequate. Ground source heat systems are fully automated and run silently. Also, they are hidden as almost all of the equipment is underground or inside the building.

Ground source heat pumps use electricity to run, but they are extremely efficient when compared with other non-renewable heating options. They can even be paired with alternative electricity generators like solar photovoltaic or wind turbines. Ground source heat pumps also benefit from the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, which means the systems can pay for themselves over time as you are paid for the heat that you produce.