Ground source heat pump disadvantages
Find out if a ground source heat pump is right for your project by reading our comprehensive list of pros and cons.
Ground source heat pump pros and cons
There are many pros and cons associated with ground source heat pumps, and understanding them will help give you a better idea of whether a ground source heat pump would be suitable for your home.
To make things simple for you, here are our top 3 ground source heat pump advantages and disadvantages:
Ground source heat pump advantages:
The most efficient type of heat pump
One of the main benefits of ground source heat pumps is their efficiency. At around 400% efficient, for every 1kWh of energy that the ground source heat pump uses, you can expect it to output around 4kWh of heat energy. This is because the ground provides such a stable temperature for the heat pump to draw from all year round.
Hidden from sight
As a ground source heat pump will always be installed inside the property, there is no need to worry about it becoming an eyesore. Hidden away in the plantroom, a GSHP won’t affect the look or feel of your home.
Ultra quiet
Another great thing about ground source heat pumps is that they are almost silent. They are so quiet that, even if you were to sit next to one, you would struggle to know it was working.
Ground source heat pump disadvantages:
Outside space requirement
Ground source heat pumps require a lot of space. Outside, the ground collectors need three times the total footprint of the property they are heating. Inside, the heat pump, hot water cylinder and buffer tank need to be situated in a dedicated plant room. This does mean that ground source heat pumps are generally better suited to larger properties, or for new build projects where this space can be factored into plans.
Higher cost
The cost of installing a ground source heat pump can be up to double that of an air source heat pump. This is because of the additional materials and work required to install the ground collectors. It is also worth noting that if you opt to install boreholes instead, these costs can rise even more.
Running cost in poorly insulated homes
As with air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps are not suitable for poorly insulated properties. They could struggle to keep up with the heating demands of the property and would cost too much to run.
See if a ground source heat pump is right for your home
Before going ahead with a ground source heat pump installation, it is important to be absolutely sure that a ground source heat pump would be suitable for the property.
When installed in the right environment, a ground source heat pump is a great, environmentally friendly alternative to heating your house using fossil fuels.
However, in the wrong property, without adequate insulation or a thorough design, a ground source heat pump would not be able to operate efficiently, resulting in a heating system that cannot keep up with heating demands, causing high running costs.
To make sure a ground source heat pump would be the right fit for your home, use our quick suitability checker
