Ground source heat pumps are powered by electricity. They use electricity to run three main parts: the compressor, controls and circulation pumps. These parts move heat between a building and the ground.
The ground is not the system's power source. In winter, it supplies heat. In summer, it receives heat removed from the building.
At a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Main energy input | Electricity |
| Heat source in winter | The ground or groundwater |
| Cooling function in summer | Transfers indoor heat into the ground |
| Underground loop fluid | Water or water mixed with antifreeze |
| Can it use renewable energy? | Yes, when supplied with electricity from solar, wind or another renewable source |
| Does it normally burn gas or oil? | No |
How Does a Ground Source Heat Pump Use Electricity?
A ground source heat pump uses electricity to run a refrigeration cycle:
- Fluid circulates through underground pipes.
- The fluid absorbs heat from the ground during winter.
- An electric compressor raises the heat to a useful temperature.
- The system sends the heat through underfloor heating, radiators or a hot-water system.
In summer, the system removes heat from the building and transfers it into the ground.
Is the Ground Itself Producing Electricity?
No. A ground source heat pump moves heat using electricity. It does not normally generate electricity.
That makes it different from a geothermal power station:
- A ground source heat pump uses electricity to move low-temperature heat.
- A geothermal power station uses high-temperature underground heat to generate electricity.
The ground's relatively steady underground temperature gives the heat pump a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer.
Can Solar Panels Power a Ground Source Heat Pump?
Yes. Solar photovoltaic panels can provide some or all of the electricity a ground source heat pump needs. The heat pump still runs on electricity, but solar generation can reduce the amount of electricity bought from the grid.
Grid electricity may still be needed when the heat pump runs at night, sunlight is limited or household demand is higher than solar output.
Do Ground Source Heat Pumps Use Gas or Oil?
No. A standard ground source heat pump does not need gas, oil or coal to operate. Its energy input is electricity.
A property may still have a separate gas or oil boiler for backup heating. That boiler is separate from the ground source heat pump.
What Does a Property Need for a Ground Source Heat Pump?
A property needs two things: a suitable electrical supply and enough space or drilling capacity for the ground loop.
The heat pump uses electricity to move and raise the temperature of heat. The ground supplies that heat in winter and receives it in summer.