GSHP Systems
Energy is extracted from the ground or from ground-water to support a GSHP system. There are two major sub-divisions of GHSP’s:
- Open loop systems. These use ground water directly from a well and pass it through a heat exchanger attached to the heat pumps. Open loop systems can support very large loads from a small number of wells and are usually used for large scale projects in areas with known aquifers such as central London. They are relatively complex to design and require Environment Agency permission in most cases.
- Closed loop systems. The more common approach is to bury a continuous loop of pipe in the ground, around which flows a heat transfer fluid. This loop is then connected to the heat pump systems. This approach has less risk than an open loop system and is generally cheaper to install.
Econic has experience of designing and installing both open and closed loop systems. In the case of closed loop systems there are many potential options depending on the ground conditions and requirements.
- Horizontal collector. The pipes are buried in shallow trenches. This method needs a lot of land and is generally only used for smaller systems. It is relatively low cost.
- Vertical boreholes. Boreholes are drilled to a depth of 80-150m into which the pipes are installed. This method is the most common for most medium and large systems. Space is less of an issue than a horizontal system and efficiency should be higher.
- Vertical pushed. In this case the collector pipe is literally pushed into the ground using a hydraulic ram. This works well in certain types of ground and can be a quick and low cost method. Econic pioneered this method.
- Radial drilled. The boreholes are drilled at an angle rather than vertically and from a single point. This method is ideal where access is a problem or if disruption to the ground presents difficulties such as in a graveyard for example. We have experience of using this system in a church project.
- Energy piles. The collector pipes are installed in the piles of the building. This method is not common and generally only used when other methods are not practical. The amount of heat that can be supported is quite low, unless the piles are very deep. Our team includes a former piling specialist so we understand this option well.
- Pond or lake systems. A closed loop collector can be placed in a lake, pond, river or even potentially the sea if it makes sense for the site. This method is very low cost compared to other collector types and can give high efficiency. We have installed this type of system in a former gravel pit site.
Based on a basic understanding of the site we can establish the best option for a given project. Contact us to find out more.
Ground collector design is possibly the most critical part of getting a heat pump system right. We use dedicated modelling software to carry out our designs and work with some of the leading academics in this area to ensure long term sustainability of the solution whilst delivering the most cost effective option possible.
ASHP Systems
Air source get energy from the outside air. Air is blown over a heat exchanger using fans. The fan units are usually located outside, somewhere near the building. It is possible to install them in a plant room using ducting in some cases. They can be a cost effective alternative to GSHP systems in the right circumstances. There are a few important issues to consider with ASHP systems:
- The output and efficiency are proportional to the air temperature. System COP will vary depending on the air temperature.
- ASHP’s currently require full planning permission due to noise concerns.
- ASHP’s do not currently get payments under the Renewable Heat Incentive. This may change in 2012.
- Some planning authorities do not consider ASHP’s as renewable energy technologies.
We are happy to offer ASHP solutions and can combine ASHP and GSHP technologies to provide an overall cost effective and efficient solution.
Contact us for more information on our range of ASHP solutions.
GSHP Systems
Energy is extracted from the ground or from ground-water to support a GSHP system. There are two major sub-divisions of GHSP’s:
- Open loop systems. These use ground water directly from a well and pass it through a heat exchanger attached to the heat pumps. Open loop systems can support very large loads from a small number of wells and are usually used for large scale projects in areas with known aquifers such as central London. They are relatively complex to design and require Environment Agency permission in most cases.
- Closed loop systems. The more common approach is to bury a continuous loop of pipe in the ground, around which flows a heat transfer fluid. This loop is then connected tot he heat pump systems. This approach has less risk than an open loop system and is generally cheaper to install.
Econic has experience of designing and installing both open and closed loop systems. In the case of closed loop systems there are many potential options depending on the ground conditions and requirements.
- Horizontal collector. The pipes are buried in shallow trenches. This method needs a lot of land and is generally only used for smaller systems. It is relatively low cost.
- Vertical boreholes. Boreholes are drilled to a depth of 80-150m into which the pipes are installed. This method is the most common for most medium and large systems. Space is less of an issue than a horizontal system and efficiency should be higher.
- Vertical pushed. In this case the collector pipe is literally pushed into the ground using a hydraulic ram. This works well in certain types of ground and can be a quick and low cost method. Econic pioneered this method.
- Radial drilled. The boreholes are drilled at an angle rather than vertically and from a single point. This method is ideal where access is a problem or if disruption to the ground presents difficulties such as in a graveyard for example. We have experience of using this system in a church project.
- Energy piles. The collector pipes are installed in the piles of the building. This method is not common and generally only used when other methods are not practical. The amount of heat that can be supported is quite low, unless the piles are very deep. Our team includes a former piling specialist so we understand this option well.
- Pond or lake systems. A closed loop collector can be placed in a lake, pond, river or even potentially the sea if it makes sense for the site. This method is very low cost compared to other collector types and can give high efficiency. We have installed this type of system in a former gravel pit site.
Based on a basic understanding of the site we can establish the best option for a given project. Contact us to find out more.
Ground collector design is possibly the most critical part of getting a heat pump system right. We use dedicated modelling software to carry out our designs and work with some of the leading academics in this area to ensure long term sustainability of the solution whilst delivering the most cost effective option possible.
ASHP Systems
Air source get energy from the outside air. Air is blown over a heat exchanger using fans. The fan units are usually located outside, somewhere near the building. It is possible to install them in a plant room using ducting in some cases. They can be a cost effective alternative to GSHP systems in the right circumstances. There are a few important is
GSHP Systems
Energy is extracted from the ground or from ground-water to support a GSHP system. There are two major sub-divisions of GHSP’s:
- Open loop systems. These use ground water directly from a well and pass it through a heat exchanger attached to the heat pumps. Open loop systems can support very large loads from a small number of wells and are usually used for large scale projects in areas with known aquifers such as central London. They are relatively complex to design and require Environment Agency permission in most cases.
- Closed loop systems. The more common approach is to bury a continuous loop of pipe in the ground, around which flows a heat transfer fluid. This loop is then connected tot he heat pump systems. This approach has less risk than an open loop system and is generally cheaper to install.
Econic has experience of designing and installing both open and closed loop systems. In the case of closed loop systems there are many potential options depending on the ground conditions and requirements.
- Horizontal collector. The pipes are buried in shallow trenches. This method needs a lot of land and is generally only used for smaller systems. It is relatively low cost.
- Vertical boreholes. Boreholes are drilled to a depth of 80-150m into which the pipes are installed. This method is the most common for most medium and large systems. Space is less of an issue than a horizontal system and efficiency should be higher.
- Vertical pushed. In this case the collector pipe is literally pushed into the ground using a hydraulic ram. This works well in certain types of ground and can be a quick and low cost method. Econic pioneered this method.
- Radial drilled. The boreholes are drilled at an angle rather than vertically and from a single point. This method is ideal where access is a problem or if disruption to the ground presents difficulties such as in a graveyard for example. We have experience of using this system in a church project.
- Energy piles. The collector pipes are installed in the piles of the building. This method is not common and generally only used when other methods are not practical. The amount of heat that can be supported is quite low, unless the piles are very deep. Our team includes a former piling specialist so we understand this option well.
- Pond or lake systems. A closed loop collector can be placed in a lake, pond, river or even potentially the sea if it makes sense for the site. This method is very low cost compared to other collector types and can give high efficiency. We have installed this type of system in a former gravel pit site.
Based on a basic understanding of the site we can establish the best option for a given project. Contact us to find out more.
Ground collector design is possibly the most critical part of getting a heat pump system right. We use dedicated modelling software to carry out our designs and work with some of the leading academics in this area to ensure long term sustainability of the solution whilst delivering the most cost effective option possible.
ASHP Systems
Air source get energy from the outside air. Air is blown over a heat exchanger using fans. The fan units are usually located outside, somewhere near the building. It is possible to install them in a plant room using ducting in some cases. They can be a cost effective alternative to GSHP systems in the right circumstances. There are a few important issues to consider with ASHP systems:
- The output and efficiency are proportional to the air temperature. System COP will vary depending on the air temperature.
- ASHP’s currently require full planning permission due to noise concerns.
- ASHP’s do not currently get payments under the Renewable Heat Incentive. This may change in 2012.
- Some planning authorities do not consider ASHP’s as renewable energy technologies.
We are happy to offer ASHP solutions and can combine ASHP and GSHP technologies to provide an overall cost effective and efficient solution. Contact us for more information on our range of ASHP solutions.
sues to consider with ASHP systems:
- The output and efficiency are proportional to the air temperature. System COP will vary depending on the air temperature.
- ASHP’s currently require full planning permission due to noise concerns.
- ASHP’s do not currently get payments under the Renewable Heat Incentive. This may change in 2012.
- Some planning authorities do not consider ASHP’s as renewable energy technologies.
We are happy to offer ASHP solutions and can combine ASHP and GSHP technologies to provide an overall cost effective and efficient solution. Contact us for more information on our range of ASHP solutions.