Ground Source Heat Pump Systems and Their Design
This article showcases a ground source heat pump installation I spearheaded, with Darren Jones expertly handling the plant room's pipework. At the heart of this project is a 28kW single-phase CTC heat pump, seamlessly integrated with a ground source collector drilled by my son.
The innovative system configuration includes two 14kW brine to water units directly connected to a robust screed underfloor heating setup, avoiding the need for a buffer tank or system separation. The control strategy for the expansive 650 square meter property is straightforward yet effective, relying on the heat pump and adjustable thermostats in four bedrooms, leaving the remainder of the space to be regulated by the heat pump's built-in temperature sensor. This design epitomises an open zone, low-temperature approach, promising excellent efficiency and significantly reduced operational costs.
Additionally, the inclusion of a passive cooling mechanism ensures the home remains comfortable throughout the year, utilising minimal power for maximum comfort.
From the provided graphs, it is evident that with an ambient temperature of 3°C, the house maintained a comfortable 20°C. The brine temperature entering the unit was between 7-8°C, with an average flow temperature of about 30°C. Based on the manufacturer's data, the extrapolated coefficient of performance (COP) ranges between 6 and 6.5. Given that this is at the end of the heating season, and the system has been operational for nearly a year, this COP is the minimum expected.

The system's efficiency is highlighted by its approximately hourly cycling under partial load conditions, demonstrating that a buffer tank or system separation is unnecessary with proper design. Unlike on-off compressors, which are prone to cycling and resultant performance degradation, this system showcases the benefits of precise design and selection.
Our approach to system design is grounded in practical, real-world training offered at Ultimate Training and Technical. This departs from outdated methodologies, moving beyond mere theoretical concepts to embrace modern, evidence-based strategies. With the national average seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) around 2.8, and the need for heat pumps to be more cost-effective than fossil fuels necessitating a SCOP of 3.5, our approach emphasises the importance of high SCOPs achievable through the right equipment and meticulous system design and commissioning.
Currently viewing this topic 1 guest.
- 26 Forums
- 2,220 Topics
- 49.2 K Posts
- 220 Online
- 5,880 Members
Join Us!
Podcast Picks
Latest Posts
-
RE: Heat loss calculations and how they work in conjunction with heat pump sizing
No, that is not what we mean. "IT Infra" is not a langu...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 5 minutes ago
-
RE: Aira Heat Pump: Stylish Scandinavian Heating
@jamespa This is a 4 port buffer tank.
By ChandyKris , 20 minutes ago
-
Should Our Water Circulation Pump Be Configured to Run All The Time?
Our system is open loop with just one zone and FRVs on ...
By GrahamF , 24 minutes ago
-
RE: Havenwise App Help & Forum Support – Get the Most from Your Heat Pump
@hcas Thank you. Much appreciated. So, once connected t...
By plasfron , 39 minutes ago
-
Very Much Awake – Renewing the Heating Industry One Step at a Time
Like any industry that touches so many lives, and is so...
By Aadil Qureshi , 55 minutes ago
-
Ah.... I'd like to make a couple of observations: &nb...
By Transparent , 56 minutes ago
-
This is my code, I put it straight into the configurati...
By DREI , 2 hours ago
-
RE: Battery storage to run Heat Pump.
Hats off to the ones that persist, @Transparent ! ...
By Batpred , 2 hours ago
-
RE: What is the Heat Geek Guarantee?
@colinc, that’s a very fair and well-balanced comment, ...
By Mars , 13 hours ago
-
@toodles Thanks. I will assume they have made som...
By Papahuhu , 14 hours ago
-
RE: Are We Sleepwalking Into Another Race to the Bottom?
That sounds suspiciously like an argument by an install...
By JamesPa , 14 hours ago
-
RE: Say hello and introduce yourself
I've seen photos of other people placing the tank in a ...
By Transparent , 15 hours ago
-
RE: PV Panels on roof in Conservation Area
@colinc Do your own due diligence re reviews etc but...
By Morgan , 16 hours ago
-
RE: Heat Pump Installers: Competence, Illusion and the Hard Truth Homeowners Must Face
So true, possibly with the exception of people you woul...
By JamesPa , 16 hours ago
-
RE: Isolating the system for a planned power cut
I hadn't realised your reason for a 100mA trip was due ...
By Transparent , 16 hours ago
-
RE: Midea ASHP – how to set weather compensation
Some things worth mentioning: (1) the Headroom Heat P...
By cathodeRay , 17 hours ago
-
RE: Heating Turned Off but Radiators Still Warm
@9jwr9 I didn't get an answer at the time and there has...
By Pipcart , 17 hours ago
-
RE: Renewables & Heat Pumps in the News
You've completely missed the point. Old, unpatched so...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 18 hours ago
-
RE: Ecodan Energy Monitoring Pack
@batpred that’s an idea yes. Will look into it
By Carpenterstation , 18 hours ago