earth energy - FAQ
Is the thermal energy in my ground really free?
Yes, it is untaxed, always available and truly sustainable. Once the EarthEnergy system is installed, you pay only for extracting the heat. The extraction cost is the running cost to power the heat pump unit and circulation pumps.
How efficient is a ground source heat pump system?
Modern systems are very energy efficient. For each kilowatt of electricity used to run the heat pump, three to four kilowatts of heat are delivered to the house.
I have spoken to other ground source companies and they all seem to offer different sized systems and ground loops, how do I know what is right for my project?
Small systems are often sized using a rule of thumb or design tables from the British Standard or manufacturer's technical manual. However larger systems need to be modelled using analytical software and site specific design parameters. Confirm whether each company has undertaken a full design.
If the ground loops are undersized, your heat pump will not run efficiently, which will also lead to higher running costs and may even cause problems with Ice.
Are GSHP systems really environmentally friendly?
Yes, they most certainly are. In the UK, there is now a strong move towards alternative technologies that are sustainable and more environmentally acceptable. It has been calculated that 40% of CO2 emissions are derived from the heating of buildings. By using EarthEnergy you can help to reduce these emissions, particularly when compared to burning fossil fuels such as oil. Most electricity suppliers are now offering 'clean green' electricity from a renewable energy source, and if you use this to power your heat pump, your property will be totally heated from renewable energy with zero emissions.
Are they dangerous? What about servicing and maintenance?
There are no hazardous gas emissions, no flammable oil, LPG or gas pipes, no flue or chimney and no unsightly fuel tanks. GSHP systems have absolutely NO site emissions. There is no need for regular servicing or annual safety checks.
Can the heat pump be used to dry out a new building?
The heat pump is not sized to provide the greatly increased heat demand during the initial drying out of a new building. Supplementary heating may well be necessary during this period.
How do running costs compare with conventional alternatives?
It depends what you are comparing. In a modern, extremely well insulated house, an EarthEnergy system offers very high efficiency and low running costs. An oil-fired boiler or LPG system would cost considerably more to run, and electric heating would be at least three times as expensive. The very best of the modern condensing gas boilers may only be a little more expensive to run, but that is on current gas prices, which are set to rise. Do not forget that all fossil fuel boilers need regular servicing and maintenance and that this cost soon adds up.
Do I have to use underfloor heating?
No, EarthEnergy Systems can be used for both heating and cooling in conjunction with various distribution systems including fan coils, chilled beams, underfloor heating, radiators or distributed heat pumps.
