A Surge In Demand For Ground Source Heat Pumps (GHSPs) In The UK

The UK government will be phasing out gas grid fossil fuel heating from 2026, which is less than three years from now. Homeowners and landlords have little time to find a reliable solution. At present, there are a million homes in England that use off-gas grid fossil fuel for heating. These homes use some of the highest carbon heating fuels, including oil and coal. One of the options worth exploring is the GSHPs or Ground Source Heat Pumps.

Heat pumps offer low-carbon heat options for off-grid homes. It works for all types of properties, including old architectural-era dwellings. Users may face some challenges in old rural properties, but the problem can be overcome with careful consideration and provided there is somewhere to excavate a trench or borehole, with access for machinery. As landlords and tenants look for innovative ways to meet the Net Zero targets, heat pump systems are beginning to draw attention across the UK. There is a clear and perceptible increase in awareness around climate change and a greater willingness among people to find practical solutions.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which gives a £6,000 grant for Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP), has recently reported more enquiries for GSHPs from off-gas grid homes. Many heat pumps being installed under the scheme replace oil-powered boilers.

What Makes GSHP A Practical Option

GSHPs are among the most reliable alternatives for eco-friendly heating because Their performance is not affected by the cold outdoor ambient air temperatures. They run efficiently regardless of external conditions, as the ground temperature stays consistent throughout the year at around 10C.

Heat pumps remain unaffected by unpredictable market oil prices, providing stable running costs for consumers. They need less maintenance than comparable fossil fuel systems.

Reasons For The Growing Popularity Of GSHPs

There are many other reasons for the growing popularity of GSHPs. They are highly versatile, drawing heat from multiple sources, such as ground, lakes, and mineshafts. Some systems can be connected to solar PV-T panels for higher energy efficiency.

Households using GSHPs can enjoy longer lifespans of over 20 years. compared to other heating solutions. The cost of retrofitting a GSHP when it is at the end of its life, is comparable to other heating systems.

The costs of running and maintenance are also significantly lower.

Electricity bills do not include green levies anymore. Consumers can benefit even more as the government aims to rebalance electricity prices to incentivize the electrification of heat. More good news awaits those planning to get a heat pump installed. The government has announced the Heat Training Grant, providing installers with £500 incentives to subsidize the cost of heat pump installer training.