Best Ground Source Heat Pump Companies

A ground source heat pump is a form of building heating and cooling system that employs a heat pump to transport heat to or from the ground, taking advantage of the earth’s relatively constant temperatures throughout the seasons.

Expert Ground Source Heat Pump Company

Ground source heat pumps are slowly becoming the most popular source of renewable energy because of various returns and incentives that come with choosing this kind of heat pump, such as the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive.

We have selected the best Ground Source Heat Pump companies in the UK through a series of reviews and research that explored the heating system and the energy efficiency that comes with its installation. Scan through our list of the best Ground Source Heat Pump to find the ground source heat pump system that works for you.

Best Ground Source Heat Pump Companies 2024

From our research, here is a list of the best Ground Source Heat Pump companies April 2024:

  1. Ground Source Heat Pumps
  2. Sustaburn
  3. Heacol
  4. Geowarmth
  5. Synergy Renewable

What is a Ground Source Heat Pump Company?

Geothermal heat pumps are also known as ground source heat pumps. These are efficient space heating and cooling systems that collect heat from the earth. The sun that warms up the surface that is conducted underground, is sometimes the source of this heat, while other times it is geothermal energy.

Heat is actually pumped from the earth into a room, most commonly a person’s house, via ground source heat pumps. Heat may be taken from any temperature, regardless of how cold it is, although hotter temperatures yield greater results.

Ground source heat pumps may be put practically everywhere globally; however, certain sites are more suited for the use of heat pumps when compared to others. For example, the less work the heat pumps have to do during the cold months, the greater the temperature accessible underground. To make sure that you are receiving the best ground source heat pump service, you should work with companies that can securely install the entire heat pump system without compromising energy efficiency.

How to Choose the Best Ground Source Heat Pump Company

Several elements must be considered before arriving at the overall design of a ground source heat pump installation project and its consequent total cost estimate. As a result, selecting the best ground source heat pump company is critical. Although it may appear to be a difficult undertaking at times, it does not have to be. Here are some tips to help you choose the best ground source heat pump company for you.

How do they protect deposits and advance payments?

Installers can demand a deposit of up to 25% of the entire cost of your installation after the contract is signed. Then another payment of up to 35% up to 3 weeks before any products are delivered or work is made, according to the Consumer Codes. Installers must retain their deposit or advance payment in a separate account or use a secured payment mechanism to comply with the criteria.

They must ensure any deposits and advance payments with an authorised insurer. You should inquire about the arrangements in place by your installer to ensure that your money is safe and that the length of the insurance policy is appropriate for the timeframes of your project.

Do the company technicians have manufacturer-specific training, licenses, certifications, or trade endorsements?

Has the manufacturer of the heat pump you’re installing trained your installer? Most major manufacturers offer training courses that equip installers with unit-specific knowledge; these can usually be found by searching for installers on manufacturer websites. It’s not only good to know that the installer knows the heat pump inside and out; it’s also good to know that they can often provide better warranties on the heat pumps they install.

These memberships cost money and are generally joined by companies because they are passionate about their work area – for example, is your Ground Source Heat Pump installer a member of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association?

Is the company near you?

Just because an installer shows up at your door doesn’t mean they’re the right fit for you. However, consider the distance from you – if the company installing your system is a 5-hour drive away, how quickly can they respond if you have any post-installation problems? Will that company complete your annual service? What about repairs and maintenance?

Is the company reviewed by other customers?

Getting a referral from a friend or relative who has previously had a heat pump installed and can vouch for a company’s abilities is a great way to discover a competent installation, but if you don’t have one, look for reviews online.

What are the official company approvals enjoyed by the ground source heat pump company?

It can be difficult to determine an installer’s exact qualifications and skills – though they should be able to show you their certificates if you ask! However, you should feel confident that they are providing you with the appropriate technical explanations to fully answer all of your questions as you discuss your project.

The Micro-generation Scheme is a certified program that establishes minimum requirements for heat pump installers and designers. Suppose you want to apply for financing under the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme. In that case, the Renewable Heat Incentive, or the Energy Saving Trust Scotland Loan, your installation must be MCS certified.

A searchable list of authorised installers is available on the website, as well as information on which technologies a firm is qualified to install. Heat pumps are divided into two categories, with not every MCS Accredited installer able to complete Ground Source Heat Pump installations. If you’re not sure, ask for their MCS number to ensure they exist and what they can accomplish.

If you want to apply for financing under the Green Homes Grant Scheme, your installer must be TrustMark registered. Technical Competence, Customer Service, and Good Trading Practices are all evaluated by TrustMark Registered Businesses.

To be TrustMark Approved, a company must be a member of a Certification Body like NAPIT or NICEIC, which conducts annual audits against specified requirements for installation competence and good business practices. On their website, they have a searchable list of businesses. If you’re not sure, ask for their TrustMark license number and double-check that they exist.

How Do Ground Source Heat Pump Companies Make Money?

Ground Source Heat Pump companies create and manufacture heat pumps for their customers. These ground source heat pumps generate renewable energy that can be used to heat up a residential building or a commercial establishment, depending on the capacity of the ground source heat pumps.

A ground heat exchange loop, a heat pump that concentrates accessible heat from the ground, and a heat distribution system are the three fundamental parts of a ground source heat pump system.

Buried underground in a horizontal trench is a pipe or a vertical borehole is known as a ground loop. Horizontal trenches are excavated two meters below ground level and, while requiring more land than a borehole, are generally less expensive for smaller systems.

The pipe is filled with a water/anti-freeze combination that absorbs heat from the earth. The absorbed heat is then extracted and transferred to the heat pump through a heat exchanger. The heat distribution system, which is the third essential component of a ground source heat pump, can be either low-temperature radiators or underfloor heating. When a heat pump is expected to produce greater temperatures, such as for a traditional radiator circuit, its efficiency suffers.

The “coefficient of performance,” which evaluates the heat output in kilowatts in proportion to the electrical input in kilowatts, assesses a heat pump’s performance under normal conditions. The output temperature provided to the building’s heat distribution system and the input temperature from the heat source, on the other hand, have a significant impact on the CoP of a heat pump.

Under frigid conditions, a ground source heat pump with access to a temperature of 10°C from the earth will have a substantially higher CoP than an air source heat pump with access to a temperature of -5°C from ambient air. To achieve optimum performance, a ground source heat pump installation’s design, installation quality, and controls are crucial.

Ground Source Heat Pump Companies to Avoid

The majority of individuals who have geothermal heat pumps adore them. They’re not only more efficient than a standard split heat pump system, especially in the winter, but they also last a lot longer. However, there will always be ground source heat pump companies that will be producing less than stellar results, which are indicated by the heat pumps not working properly.

There are a few signs that your geothermal heat pump system isn’t working properly.

The benefit of geothermal HVAC systems is that they use ground heat to heat your house in the winter. Because the subsurface is much warmer than the air outside on severely cold days, geothermal systems may provide exceptionally effective heating. However, they can only do so if the water in a ground loop absorbs all of the heat and transports it to your home.

The water pressure inside that loop must be adequate for the water to effectively provide heat to your house. If the ground source heat pump company has a reputation for not installing the ground source heat pump system properly, the water pressure will not be enough to sustain the heat pump.

Because your geothermal system relies on water, leaks are always a possibility. Fortunately, we rarely see water coming out of these systems. It’s more normal to see a gradual leak develop, one that doesn’t create issues right away but will once enough water has escaped the system. When you work with a company that cannot fix a leak, it may be best to look for another company.

Geothermal systems, unlike more conventional air source heat pumps, employ pumps to transport water through a ground loop. If the pump fails, the water and the heat it carries will not be able to circulate throughout the system. Look for companies that use a reputable pumping system. A good ground source heat pump company will also know how to properly maintain its heat pumps.

Best Ground Source Heat Pump Companies

Here is a full list of the best ground source heat pump companies in the UK:

The list above gives you plenty of options to choose from in April 2024