Ground sourced heat transfer, also known as ground sourced heat pumps, are a form of heat pump that works by using the ground as a source of heating or cooling. While air temperature changes from season to season, 2 - 5 metres underground the temperature remains relatively stable.
In summer, when the air is hot, the ground will be cooler and air can be passed through pipes in the ground to cool it down. In winter, when the air temperature is cold, the ground is warmer, and air passed through pipes in the ground can be warmed up.
The warming or cooling effect of the air being passed through underground pipes might be enough on its own to provide air at the desired temperature. If it isn't, compression and refrigerants can be used to get the desired temperature, so much of the work of heating or cooling the pumped air is already done, reducing cost and energy usage.
Ground Temperature Stability
System Operation
Efficiency Rating: 400% (COP 4.0)
The strength of ground sourced heat exchangers, like ground sourced heat pumps, is their ability to leverage the difference between ground temperature and air temperature, to provide a head start on the cooling or heating process.
The ground provides a free source of heat or cooling to do most of the work, resulting in energy and cost reduction.
Season | Air Temperature | Ground Temperature | System Advantage |
---|---|---|---|
❄️ Winter | -5°C to 10°C | 10°C | Stable heat source when most needed |
🌸 Spring | 5°C to 20°C | 10°C | Consistent efficiency during variable weather |
☀️ Summer | 15°C to 30°C | 12°C | Can reverse for cooling via ground rejection |
🍂 Autumn | 5°C to 20°C | 11°C | Stable performance as air temperatures drop |
Hydronic systems are efficient, and compared to wood or fuel based heating systems, deliver outstanding increases in energy efficiency and cost benefits. Go ground source heating and those benefits are even bigger.
Operating Costs
Installation Considerations
Here are a few of the items and requirements you will need to consider if you want to have underfloor heating or use ground sourced heat transfer systems.
Ground Loop Options
System Components
Maintenance Requirements
At Canterbury Heat Pumps Ltd (CHP), we are ready to bring cleaner, greener, and more cost-effective heating solutions to your property. Whether you're looking for a brand-new system or need an upgrade, we offer the expertise and service to keep your space comfortable year-round.
Get in touch with us today for a free consultation, and see how we can help you save energy and costs with our hydronic heating systems!
We are located in Christchurch, New Zealand