Ground Source Heat Pumps – Renewable Energy Solutions by Revolution Power
What is a Ground Source Heat Pump?
A large quantity of low grade energy absorbed from the environment is transferred to the refrigerant inside the heat pump (evaporator). This causes the temperature of the refrigerant to rise (even at sub zero temperatures) causing it to change from a liquid to a gaseous state.
The refrigerant is then compressed, using an electrically driven compressor, reducing its volume but causing its temperature to rise significantly.
A heat exchanger (condenser) then extracts the heat from the refrigerant to heat water for central heating, underfloor heating or domestic hot water.
After giving up its heat energy the refrigerant turns back into a liquid and after passing through an expansion valve can once again absorb energy from the environment, allowing the cycle to begin again.
Benefits of Using A Ground Source Heat Pump
Heat pumps are among the most efficient heating and hot water systems available today. Approximately 75% of the energy needed for heating comes from the environment. This means that for every 1kWh of electricity used to power the heat pump compressor, between 3 and 4 kWh of heating energy are produced, giving the heat pump an efficiency of 300-400% or higher.
The heat pump's "efficiency" is know as it's "Coefficient of Performance" (CoP). This is simply a ratio between the proportion of the total energy supplied that can be extracted from the environment and the amount supplied by electricity to run the heat pump compressor. The higher the CoP, the more “free” environmental energy the heat pump is using!
For further information on the benefits of installing Ground Source Heat Pumps or other Renewable Energy Sources, including information on Government Grants for Installation of Renewable Energy, please contact Revolution Power by email at Revolution Power - Ground Source Heat Pumps or by telephone on 01325 320 910.
