Ground source heat pumps
MCS approved renewable heating solutions

What is a ground source heat pump?
A ground source heat pump (GSHP) is an energy efficient, renewable energy solution that is particularly suited for properties on larger plots. Up to 400% efficient, this type of heat pump extracts the free heat from the ground to generate heating and hot water, reducing your energy bills and carbon footprint.
- Transfers around three times more energy into the property as heat than it uses to extract it from the ground
- MCS approved for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
- Energy-efficient solution that is ideal for off-grid properties
- Well-suited to properties on larger plots
- Ground loop or bore hole installation options
- Very quiet operation

Ground source heat pumps explained
Rachel, a Nu-Heat Account Manager, talks through everything you need to know about ground source heat pumps:
In this video you’ll discover
0:04 What is a ground source heat pump?
0:10 How do ground loops work?
0:17 How much land do you need for ground loops?
0:37 When would you choose a borehole set up?
0:47 Siting the ground source heat pump and cylinder

Types of ground source heating
The most popular type of GSHP uses horizontal ground loops to collect the heat stored within the ground and transfer this to the property as heating or hot water. Ground loops need a large area of land to work effectively – typically at least three times the total floor area of your property, including ground and upper floors.
If there isn’t ample land to install ground loops for your GSHP, you might want to consider a borehole option. This is installed vertically rather than horizontally, so less land is required but installation can be more expensive.
Horizontal ground source heat pump
Ground source heat pumps with invisible horizontal ground loops are:
- Particularly suited to off-grid properties on larger plots
- Around three times more efficient than mains gas
- Can qualify for double the RHI tariff payments than air source heat pumps
- Not generally subject to planning permission (subject to groundworks and archaeological considerations)

Vertical ground source heat pump
Ground source heat pumps with a vertical borehole installation are:
- Better suited to properties on smaller plots that cannot accommodate horizontal ground loops
- Even more efficient than GSHPs with ground loops
- Can qualify for double the RHI tariff payments than air source heat pumps


ENERGY SOURCE | INPUT COST | EFFICIENCY | OUTPUT COST |
---|---|---|---|
GSHP | 15.0p/kWh | 320% efficient | 4.7p/kWh |
Mains Gas | 4.3p/kWh | 89% efficient | 4.8p/kWh |
Oil | 4.9p/kWh | 91.6% efficient | 5.3p/kWh |
LPG | 5.8p/kWh | 89% efficient | 6.6p/kWh |
Electric | 15.0p/kWh | 100% efficient | 15.0p/kWh |
*Please use this table as a guide as energy prices can vary. |
MCS approved renewable heating solutions
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) rewards the installation of eligible renewable technology with tariff payments to offset the cost.
- 7 years of tariff payments to offset the cost of MCS-compliant GSHP installation
- GSHPs qualify for the highest level of tariff payment, almost double that offered for air source heat pumps

RHI Tariff payment pence / kWh | ||
Possible RHI payments over 7 years using Nu-Heat renewable technologies* | ||
*An average three-bed house using 15,000kWh of heating per year with a SPF of 3.4 on GSHP and 2.7 on ASHP. Solar thermal based on an average four-person household and modest overshading of 4m² of panels on a 30° south facing roof generating 1278kWh of heat. February 2020. |
Looking for some advice?
We’re here to help you with your renewables project.
Ground source heat pump FAQs
How much space do I need to install a ground source heat pump?
This depends upon whether you choose horizontal ground loop or vertical borehole installation. Horizontal ground loops need the most space – typically at least three times your total floor area (including ground and upper floors). Vertical boreholes can be installed on a smaller plot, but there are restrictions as to how close these can be sited to buildings, so it is best to check with an expert before making a decision.
Don’t forget to account for space within your home for the GSHP, cylinder and buffer tank – most people choose to locate these in a separate plant room.
What is meant by Coefficient of Performance?
A GSHP’s Coefficient of Performance, or COP, refers to the amount of energy produced by the heat pump compared to the amount of energy used to run it. The higher the COP, the more efficient the technology.
For example, an electric fire using 1kWh of electricity to generate 1kWh of heat would have a COP of 1 – making it 100% efficient as it uses the same amount of energy as it generates. A GSHP that uses 1kWh of electricity to generate 4kWh of heat would have a COP of 4 and is 400% efficient, extracting an additional 3kWh of heat from the ground to provide heating and hot water.
Can I use a GSHP with underfloor heating?
Absolutely! Underfloor heating (UFH) is at its most efficient when operating at lower flow temperatures – GSHPs provide a low-level, constant heat, making them a perfect partner for UFH.
Are there grants available for installing a GSHP?
MCS-compliant GSHP installations qualify for 7 years of RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) payments, which can be used to offset the cost of the installation. An average three bedroom house using 15,000kWh of heating per year could qualify for in the region of 20p per kWh, amounting to around £15,000 of RHI payments over 7 years (figures correct as at March 2019).
Ground source heat pump technical information
View more detailed information and performance data for the NIBE ground source heat pump range:
Want help finding the right renewables solution?
We would love to speak with you to discuss your project. If you have a question about your existing Nu-Heat system, our technical support team are at hand.