AIR SOURCE & GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS


The evolution of domestic heating: where do we go from here?


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Neal Herbert, GTC managing director believes the evolution of domestic heating will be defined by two key pillars: heat networks and, more specifically, networked ground source heat pumps alongside community heat hubs


he domestic heating landscape in the UK is undergoing a once- in-a-lifetime transformation. As we approach the end of new gas connections under the Future Homes Standard, housebuilders, utilities and policymakers must adopt scalable, future proof solutions that deliver comfort, reliability and affordability while meeting rigorous decarbonisation and grid resilience goals.


Historically, domestic heating in the UK has centred on individual, gas fired boilers in each home. That model has served us well for decades, but it is now reaching its limits. Rising carbon targets, volatile gas prices and grid capacity constraints mean that we must diversify away from fossil fuel heating at scale. Moreover, the shift to electrification and decentralised heating is putting additional pressure on electricity infrastructure if each house were simply to adopt an individual air source heat pump with no coordination. Heat networks offer a different paradigm:


shared infrastructure to deliver heating and hot water from a central plant through highly insulated pipework to multiple homes. By harnessing economies of scale, centralised management, and optimisation of the energy source, heat networks deliver significant benefits in carbon, cost and grid impact. In the new build sector, we are deploying two complementary solutions: networked ground source heat pumps and community heat hubs. Each is tailored to the site typology and delivers major advantages over conventional approaches.


Networked ground source heat pumps: the hidden powerhouse


We’ve introduced the networked ground source heat pump model for new build developments. This means a compact ground source heat


pump is installed in each home, but the thermal supply is drawn from a shared underground loop or pipe network. The benefits are compelling.


• The model can operate with the same electricity grid capacity as a gas heated home, alleviating a major developer concern about grid reinforcement.


• Efficiency gains are substantial: up to five times the efficiency of gas, and around 30% better than an individual air source heat pump.


• The system is year round stable as they rely on the constant ground temperature, so performance doesn’t drop off during cold snaps like air source alternatives.


• Space and aesthetic impact are minimised: the home installed unit is compact and there is no bulky external outdoor unit.


These advantages make the networked ground source heat pump model a powerful enabler for new build developers seeking to deliver low carbon heating while staying within budget and grid constraints. For households the benefits extend to lower running costs when compared to individual air source heat pumps, minimal maintenance and future proofing against rising energy prices.


Community heat hubs: central plant heat networks for wider reach


For many development types, particularly low density, suburban or mixed tenure sites, a centralised plant based heat network makes sense. This is where the community heat hub model comes into play. A singular large scale heat pump (typically air source at present)


serves a development via a network of highly insulated plastic pipes that deliver heat and hot water to many homes. Key features include:


• Carbon reduction of around 75 80% compared to conventional gas heating right from day one.


• Thermal storage is built into the hub, enabling shifting of heat generation to off peak periods, reducing electrical demand peaks and lowering homeowner bills.


• The network model offers simpler in home infrastructure: homeowners don’t have to manage their own boiler, heat pump or associated complexity because the system is owned, operated and maintained by the infrastructure partner.


A recent case: at The Gateway, Bexhill, the hub supplies 800 + homes and community facilities and is expected to save about 850 tonnes of CO2 annually compared with individual gas boilers. With the Future Homes Standard coming into


force and a national commitment to net zero by 2050, heating systems must evolve from an after thought to a strategic component of development infrastructure. For developers, networked ground source heat pumps and community heat hubs remove some of the most troubling friction points: grid capacity, cost escalation, spatial constraints, and future regulatory risk. For homeowners, they deliver comfort, simplicity and affordability. For the grid and society alike, they enable decarbonisation, reduced peak demand and increased resilience.


At GTC we believe heat networks will take the place of legacy individual heating systems in many new developments. Whether via ground source loops beneath multiple homes or a dedicated central plant with pipe distribution, the model is scalable, replicable and effective. The key now is pace and scale. We must move


from demonstration and pilot schemes into mainstream rollout. That means developers, planners, utilities and regulators must align. Key enablers include:


• Early integration of heat network design in the master planning phase, not as an add on.


• Collaboration with utility infrastructure providers that bring design, drilling, installation and operation services under a single contract, reducing risk and complexity.


• Smart regulation and finance models that support shared network infrastructure, heat as a service, and predictable operating costs for homeowners.


• Ensuring operational excellence: reliable, inclusive customer service, maintenance and transparent pricing are essential to build trust in heat network models.


The evolution of domestic heating will not simply be “one to one boiler replacement” but a re thinking of how heat is generated, distributed and consumed. Networked ground source heat pumps and community heat hubs demonstrate that low carbon, cost effective and grid resilient heating is now a realistic mainstream solution for the new build market. The old model of isolated boilers is giving way to connected, future proof heat networks and in doing so we can deliver better value for housebuilders, better outcomes for homeowners and a more sustainable energy system for the UK. Energy transition is no longer an option, it is inevitable. With the right infrastructure, design mindset and partnerships, we can deliver a heating future that is smarter, greener and stronger.


24 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2025 Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


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