HEAT PUMPS

Most efficient with whole house underfloor heating

You have heat pump technology in your home already, in the form of your fridge, and perhaps even your tumble dryer. Heat pumps are certainly not new, and as with underfloor heating, have been used in domestic properties in Europe for many years. The technology is therefore tried and tested, and has proved its worth, even in countries much colder than ours. Proposed changes to the building regulations will increase the energy efficiency requirements of new builds such that the installation of fossil fuelled boilers such as gas or oil, will no longer be permitted. These proposed changes are likely to be implemented from around 2025.

AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

8.5 kW Ultra Quiet Ecodan in Wark

Ultra Quiet Mitsubishi air source heat pump serving underfloor heating for clients in Wark.

5 kW Ecodan serving our UFH near Lauder

5 kW ASHP serving our underfloor heating in this 3-storey property near Lauder. This property also has our MVHR system.

ASHP connections to DHW cylinder through wall

At this new build in Duns, the ASHP connected directly through the wall to the DHW cylinder located in the garage.

8.5 kW Ultra Quiet Ecodan in Wark

Ultra Quiet Mitsubishi air source heat pump serving underfloor heating for clients in Wark.

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Ecodan Ultra Quiet air source heat pump - click image to expand

Air source heat pumps are the easiest to install because they don't need pipes buried in the ground. They take energy from the air, multiply it through a heat exchanger using a process of reverse refrigeration, and deliver it to your heating system and DHW cylinder.

Even at very low temperatures, your heat pump will be able to produce enough energy to heat your home and your hot water when the outside temperature is as low as minus 20 Deg C outside. (Source: Mitsubishi and Vaillant)

You may be eligible for a grant for an ASHP and, if in Scotland, a zero percent loan from Home Energy Scotland. These payments can often be enough to almost cover the cost of supply and installation of the heat pump and hot water cylinder.

GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

Nibe ground source heat pump at granary conversion

This GSHP is fed from 2 boreholes, and provides hot water for our underfloor heating and Nibe solar DHW cylinder in this large granary conversion near St Boswells. The project also has our solar thermal panels.

Our first Nibe GSHP installation near Berwick upon Tweed

Situated in an outbuilding with solar thermal panels on the roof, this ground source heat pump is fed by horizontal ground collector pipes. Installed in 2006, it heats the DHW cylinder if the sun hasn't already done so, and also heats our UFH in the adjoining new build house.

Horizontal collector manifold for GSHP

Ground collector manifold for a larger capacity ground source heat pump at a listed building near Coldstream. The GSHP heats our underfloor heating, and the DHW cylinder, which is also fed by a large array of solar thermal panels.

Nibe ground source heat pump at granary conversion

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Nibe ground source heat pump - click image to expand

Ground source heat pumps take energy from the ground via horizontal collector pipes laid in trenches, or via boreholes. Boreholes are more expensive, but they can be installed almost anywhere, subject to ground conditions. The efficiency of GSHP is marginally better than air source because the ground temperature at 1 metre depth remains relatively stable at around 10 deg C all year.

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

If installing underfloor heating and a heat pump to ensure low fuel costs for the lifetime of your property is not enough incentive, subject to your eligibility, the Energy Saving Trust offer grants for the installation of renewable energy devices. Check your eligibility by visiting their web site here. If you're Scotland, click here for more information.

If you wish to claim a grant and/or loan, your installer must be MCS accredited for the installation of heat pumps. It's important to check that your installer is on the MCS register because if they are not, you will not be able to claim the grant or loan. MCS accredited installers are annually audited for their admin procedures, quality of installation, and compliance with MCS standards. You can check the database here. Our MCS accreditation number is NAP 14681, in the name of Borders Underfloor Heating Ltd.