Ground Works
Ground Works
Ground Works for Ground Source Heat Pumps
In order for the Ground Source Heat Pumps to work at their best the details of the heat source should be analysed (ie - the make up of the ground being used). The two ways energy can be extracted from the ground are either by trenching (Ground Loop/Slinkies) or Geothermal drilling.
Ground arrays or Geothermal drilling are a critical part of any Ground source heat pump system and it is imperative that these systems are properly designed and installed correctly, in order for the heat pump system to work correctly. Arrays that have been installed incorrectly can result in higher heating bills and ultimately the ground can freeze making the heat pump malfunction. Different ground types have a varying ability to provide heat. For example - wet clay will provide more energy than dry sandy soil.
Ground Loops
Ground loops are the cheapest ground array option to 'power' the ground source heat pump. This method involves trenching the ground area into rows of trenches one metre wide, and 1.5 - 2.0 meters apart. The amount of trenching required depends on the size of the heat pump. For example a 7 Kw heat pump would require 70 meters length of trenching.
Once the trenches have been dug, loops of continuous HDPE pipe is put into the trench and covered over. This pipe is then filled with a glycol and water mixture and pressure tested. The ends of the pipe are connected to a manifold, and from there to the heat pump.
Although this is the cheapest option, a large amount of ground needs to be available to install the loops. This has successfully been carried out under school playing fields, driveways, fields or larger grounds of private houses. Systems can also be installed under lawns and gardens, but customers should be made aware of the disruption this may cause.
GEC-CO will be able to provide the design of all the ground works, supply and lay the pipes, fill and pressure test the pipework.
Geothermal Drilling
This option can be carried out in areas where space is limited or in new builds when drillers are already on site to carry out piling work.
GEC-CO use a sub-contracted geothermal drilling contractor, who is then able to drill the required number and depth of each hole. Pipes are then inserted into each hole, the pipe is then attached to a manifold, filled with a glycol and water mixture and pressure tested.