Although we may not know it heat pumps are very familiar to us - fridges and air conditioners are two examples. Heat pumps come in two main varieties for renewable energy. Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) and Air source heat pumps transfer heat from the ground or ambient air into a building to provide space heating and, in some cases, to pre-heat domestic hot water.

There are three important elements to a Ground Source Heat Pump:

1) The ground loop - lengths of pipe buried in the ground, usually filled with a mixture of water and antifreeze, absorbing heat from the ground.
2) A heat pump - takes heat from the ground loop, and compresses it to the temperature needed; the heat is transferred to a hot water tank which feeds the distribution system.
3) Heat distribution system. Under floor heating or radiators for space heating and water storage for hot water supply.
What options are available? - The ground loop can be: borehole or spiral horizontal.

Air source heat pumps work differently in that their heat absorbtion comes from ambient air.

Both types of heat pump can provide all year round heat sources.