What about those pipes that include conduits for electrical cables such as Isoflow or Uponor?

Can we have some links to those you're considering please @tomasmcguinness ?!

I think we're basically going to say "follow the manufacturer's instructions",
but it would still be good to check out what those are.

@tomasmcguinness, I think your best bet would be using underground ducting. You can get pre-insulated pipe for the flow and return, plus an additional two ducts, one for the power cable and one for the data cable.

At the ends, when everything comes up out of the ground, you can use press fittings to connect onto copper or, even better, insulated MLC pipe. If you go with copper, just make sure you insulate it properly with something like Primary Pro.

There are a few different manufacturers out there, but City Plumbing stock the ducts… you just tell them the length you need, and they’ll cut it to size and can do next-day delivery.

Also, make sure you get the proper end seals where the duct exits the ground. You basically heat it up with a heat gun and it seals the duct tight around any pipes, just like electrical heat shrink. It’s dead easy.

As for depth, 600mm is standard guidance to protect from frost and spade damage, but if you're struggling with that, going a bit shallower isn’t usually a big issue. Frost isn’t a real concern here since your flow and return will be in an insulated duct, unlike a mains water pipe. attached are some links and install guidance PDF.

Pre-Insulated Underground Pipes

INS140-3225-2HSC - Pre Insulated Pipe 140mm x 25mm or 32mm Heat Shrink Cap | Polypipe

Quick update on this - it's been quite a long time as progress got delayed due to weather and other priorities!

I ended up with 40m of Microflex UNO pipe. Enough for 18m of flow and return. https://www.watts.eu/en-gb/products/eu/microflex-pre-insulated-piping/pipes-for-heating/1-microflex-uno-6-bar

I managed to get most of the trench down a depth of 50mm, but in some parts it's only 20mm, due to waste pipes.

It was tough going and I had to replace two sections of pipe, which I "disturbed" 🤬 

I added three SWA cables. Power for the heat pump, control for the heat pump and an addition 2.5 for a garden socket (I'm only digging one trench!). Back filled it and added warning tape.

Over the weekend, I shuttered and poured the concrete for the base. I use 12mm hardwood ply and some 2x4s. My wife mixed 0.2m³ of concrete - 22 bags of Blue Circle multi-purpose concrete with Siteworx screed fibres.

Electrician should be coming in the next week or two to get the new circuits wired up and plumber shortly after to take out the boiler and upgrade the plumbing!

Feels like I'm almost there!

Watts Microflex Duo, intended for burial, about 45€/m, with 2x 26/32mm Barrier PEX.

It is quite stiff and difficult to manoeuver but it does the job.

@bobflux That's the stuff. The installer recommended two individual pipes as they have a smaller turning radius. I found the sun's heat to be very helpful when bending it into place.

@abernyte seconded. Used to be good friends with my neighbour until I installed solar on the roof facing his garden (fully discussed and agreed) which led to a big falling out afterwards because he didn't like the look of them. Be very wary of using neighbour's wall.

@pash44pump I'm glad I made the effort to dig the trench. It's a much tidier job when nothing is visible.

@tomasmcguinness Spot on

Posted by: @tomasmcguinness

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Hi, 

I'm in the early stages of planning my heat pump installation and whilst I know where the pump itself will be sited, I need to work out how to get the water into the garage. The path will see the pipes run up the side access and turn into the garage before getting connected to my heating. The route includes data and power cable.

I have two options.

1. I surface mount the primaries and run them along my neighbour's wall. I then have to either go under the paving or run the pipes up an over. I'll need a bracket of some sort between my neighbour's wall and the heat pump itself as I can't fix them to their failing timber fence. 

2. I bury an instulated pipe that holds everything. The problem is that my side access is pretty busy underground with storm, waster and water main pipes. I'm told I should bury the pipe at 600mm, but I don't believe that's possible. At least not all the way. I have photos of this before it was backfilled.

What I want to know is why we can surface mount pipes in insulation, but we're required to put insulated pipes quite deep in the ground.

Has anyone got their primaries buried at a depth less than 600?

The installation is almost done!

I've written up two posts on my journey so far

https://tomasmcguinness.com/2026/08/18/my-heat-pump-installation-part-1/

https://tomasmcguinness.com/2026/08/28/my-heat-pump-installation-part-2/

Commissioning is the last step!

It's all in and running!

@tomasmcguinness Has it changed colour between photos or is that just the evening light?