Ground Source Heat Pump Installation Kent and Sussex

How Does the Ground Source Pump Installation Process Work?

1. Initial Consultation

We begin with a detailed discussion about your current heating system and your goals for the new system. This includes assessing your home's age, construction type, insulation levels, and current heating system performance. Understanding your needs helps us tailor a solution that’s perfect for your property.

2.Suitability Assessment

If your home is suitable for a renewable heating system (most are!),we’ll conduct a thorough review of your house plans, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), insulation levels and u-values, and also look at the available space for the ground works. Based on this, we’ll provide:

• Details of the heat pump system: The specific type of ground source heat pump that best suits your needs and the ground kit.
• Cost estimate: A detailed estimate of the installation cost, including any details of building work that may be required.
• Installation details: Information on where the heat pump will be installed, pipe run locations, and any necessary modifications.
• Performance estimate: An analysis of expected running costs and efficiency, helping you understand long-term savings.
• Grant application: If eligible, and most people are, we will apply for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant, on your behalf. This can be a welcome contribution to installation costs.

3.Detailed Survey

If you’re satisfied with our proposal and would like to proceed, we would carry out a comprehensive property survey, including a room-by-room heat loss survey to ensure your emitters (radiators or underfloor heating, UFH) are sized correctly. Some rads may need upgrading.  

One of our engineers will assess the practical aspects to detail the best location for the heat pump, optimal routing for the pipework from the ground array into the building, and the decommissioning of your existing system. This step ensures a seamless and efficient installation process.

We will also carry out an assessment of the soil type down to a depth of two metres in the case of ground loops and down to 150 metres for boreholes, based on data from the British Geological Survey. This enables us to calculate how much heat can be extracted from the ground and therefore how much pipe we need in the ground to meet the heat demand. Some soils such as sodden clays give us much more heat per metre than dry soils such as chalk.  

4.Final Agreement

After addressing any questions or concerns, we formalise our agreement with a signed Micro generation Certification Scheme (MCS) quote and contract. We then schedule the installation at a time that suits you,ensuring minimal disruption to your daily routine.

How Long Does a Ground Source Heat Pump Take to Install?

The installation process typically takes 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the project's complexity and property size. This timeline includes:

• Ground loop installation: Takes about one to three, weeks and involves excavation of trenches, or drilling of boreholes, laying the ground loops, installing the manifold chamber and connecting the loops, and running the header pipework (a large flow and return) from the manifold chamber into the plant room in the house

• Heat pump installation and commissioning: This final phase, which typically takes two weeks includes:
  • installing the heat pump and the cylinders in the plant room;
  • connecting to the heating and hot water circuits in the house;
  • filling and flushing the system and adding glycol;
  • wiring the sensors, thermostats, pumps, valves, internet gateway, etc into the heat pump controller;
  • commissioning and running the system.

This work can run in conjunction with the ground works.

What Should You Consider Beforehand?

• Property suitability: Consider your property’s suitability for a ground source heat pump. Key factors include available land for the ground loop and space for indoor components. You will typically need a field or paddock that is 4 to 5 times the size of the footprint of your house for ground loops. For boreholes the space needed is much less but we need access for a large drilling rig, which may not go through the gate to your back garden!
• Initial Costs: While the upfront cost is higher compared to traditional systems, consider the long-term savings on energy bills and lower maintenance costs.
• Grants and Incentives: Take advantage of available financial incentives, such as the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant and 0% VAT on renewable heating systems.
• Environmental Impact: Ground source heat pumps significantly reduce carbon emissions. Pairing the system with solar panels can further enhance your home’s sustainability and reduce utility bills.
• Installation Disruption: Be prepared for some disruption during installation, especially during the ground loop excavation. We strive to minimise inconvenience and complete the work efficiently. Although the land is reinstated you may not want to rip up your prize roses or have diggers and trenches across your pristine lawn.

What is the Ground Source Heat Pump Installation Cost?

Total cost: The cost of installing a ground source heat pump varies greatly depending on factors such as the property size and the heat loss, the system complexity, and specific site conditions. We have done installations ranging from £36,000 for a 3-bed cottage with a 12 kW heat loss to £180,000 for an old, three-storied mansion with a 60 kW heat loss.Factors to be considered include:

• Heat pump unit: The core of the system, available in various capacities to suit different home sizes.
• Ground loop or borehole installation: Costs vary based on the amount of pipework needed, which is determined by the heat loss – although boreholes are more expensive than trenches. Homeowners can save money on trenching if, for instance, they are building an extension and have diggers on site and can dig their own trenches.
• Labour and additional materials: Professional installation using good quality ancillaries (copper pipework, pumps, valves, expansion vessels etc) ensure optimal performance and longevity.
• Financial incentives: The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant can help offset installation costs. Additionally, renewable heating systems are zero-rated for VAT which provides further savings.