SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS GSHPs: The key to slashing your


energy bills while helping to create a more sustainable planet?


Despite many obstacles such as the cost-of-living crisis, labour shortages and the remanence of the Covid pandemic, the climate crisis is remaining at the forefront of many minds. From sustainably-sourced materials to green buildings, clean energy, and


more, the construction industry has made considerable steps in the pursuit of sustainability, but it is the topic of Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) that has emerged as one of the


frontrunners in green living solutions within recent years. But what has caused this sudden increase in developers and households switching away from the more traditional sources of clean energy? John Rodgman, managing director of Borehole Solutions, comments


however, such as smart heating or solar powered generators, for example, not only can you further improve efficiency and reduce costs, but perhaps even become self-sufficient in and of itself. GSHPs can also be used to provide sustainable


energy year-round, regardless of the weather conditions, time or season – setting them ahead of their green counterparts. This means that not only do they heat properties throughout the winter, but can also naturally cool it in the winter months, potentially dispensing with the need for non-renewably-powered fans or air conditioning systems, for example. Whilst it may seem unnecessary, air-conditioning systems on average use between two and three kilowatts per hour, which over the course of a GSHP’s 15-to- 20-year lifespan, does add up.


R


egardless of whether you are planning a new project or just seeking to enhance the eco-


friendliness of your own home, cost control and sustainable practice remain crucial topics, especially when considering the UK’s existing energy climate. To help, GSHPs can provide a cheaper, more efficient, and overall cleaner alternative to your traditional heating networks. A ground source heat pump is essentially a


renewable heating system that extracts the geothermal energy present deep within the earth’s crust and transfers it into a more practical and useable form. It does this by circulating a mixture of water and antifreeze along an underground piping system, buried within a vertical borehole or horizontal trench, before passing it through a heat exchanger to be used within the property, or stored for further use in the production of electricity. These systems can be installed in the vast


majority of locations within the UK, but the scope of the project depends on a number of factors – from the specific size of the development, to any underlying geological conditions, to the presence of subsidence, and more. Where alternative clean energy sources – namely hydroelectric, wind,


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and solar – require specific criteria in this respect to be effective, GSHPs can absorb this solar energy from a variety of natural resources, from nearby creeks and rivers, rock formations, to even your own back garden.


THE ROLE OF GSHPS IN SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION Heat pumps are playing a significant role in working towards the government’s 2050 net-zero target and, as such, an estimated 19 million are expected to be delivered by the end of that period. The increase in demand is primarily stemming from the UK’s ban on traditional gas boiler installations come 2025. These clean alternatives already


“GSHPs can be used to provide


sustainable energy year-round, regardless of


the weather conditions, time or season – setting them ahead of their green counterparts”


boast a 400% higher efficiency, as well as producing 70% lower carbon dioxide emissions than your traditional, non-renewable, energy sources. Were you to combine this with other renewable technologies,


ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Winter 22/23


CUTTING ENERGY COSTS Whilst the installation cost of your standard GSHP can range from between £10,000 and £20,000, depending on the scale and complexity of the project, a significant portion of this can be mitigated due to the government’s ‘Boiler Upgrade Scheme,’ where a grant of £5,000 is offered to those looking to make the switch to green heat. In fact, in many cases it often makes the installation of a GSHP even more viable than your traditional gas boiler, with people reporting an estimated 30-70% reduction in their average annual energy bills. It is also worth noting that with the Government’s 2025 gas boiler ban not far away, having a GSHP on your property has become a desirable selling point – with your house’s value increasing by approximately £16,000


post-installation. Borehole Solutions www.boreholesolutions.co.uk www.ess.co.uk


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