Before you read on: These systems can be very expensive to install - between £24,000 and £50,000 depending on whether the pipes can be laid in trenches or a borehole is required. It may also cost more than heat using mains gas, as the systems run on electricity. Due to the high costs and specific criteria for install, these systems are rarely covered in full by government grants.
Ground source heat pumps (or 'ground to water pumps') extracts heat from the ground using pipes buried underground. You will need a 'wet system' (radiators or underfloor heating) to be compatible with a ground source heat pump.
Is your home suitable?
- Check whether you need planning permission for ground source heat pumps, to check contact your local council's planning department.
- Check whether your garden is suitable for ground source piping - the ground needs to be large enough to dig a trench or borehole and be accessible to machinery.
- Your home will need to be highly insulated to reduce running costs as much as possible.
- Consider the fuel you are replacing as this will have a significant impact on savings vs running costs.
Financial incentives
The RHI scheme has now closed. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) can provide up to £6,000 towards the cost of installation.
*All figures are taken from the Energy Saving Trust April 2022.