Heat Pump Types
Heat pump types
There are 3 main types of heat pumps – Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP), Air-Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) and Heat Recovery Heat Pumps (HRHP). Encompas will help you identify which type is best for your project. Heat pumps extract energy from the ground, air or water and convert it into heat to be used for heating and domestic hot water.
For more information about Heat Pump Types please click to view the supplier web sites below:
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) also known as Geothermal Heat Pumps:
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) extract heat from the ground or water using a water/brine mix in loops of pipe that absorbs and transfers heat through the heat pump into a water-based heating system.
The ground pipe loops can be buried in trenches in the ground, sunk in boreholes or placed at the bottom of lakes or canals.
Our borehole teams drill to the required depth (as dictated by the design), install pressure tested loops and backfill the boreholes them using support sleeves, sand and bentonite slurry.
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP):
Air Source Heat Pumps don’t need any boreholes or a ground collector. Instead they extract heat (solar) energy stored in the air and transfer it through the heat pump to the water based heating system. ASHP work even when the outside temperature is below freezing.
Air Source Heat Pumps are effective with outside temperatures down to -20c, but the efficiency reduces at colder temperatures.
The advantage of Air Source Heat Pumps is that there is no collector pipe required and they are ideal where outside space and access is limited.
Heat Recovery Heat Pumps (HRHP):
Heat Recovery Heat Pumps work in a similar way to Air Source Heat Pumps but recover heat from inside the property. This heat is collected internally from warm rooms e.g. kitchens and bathrooms, people and domestic appliances.
Not only does this type of heat pump provide heating and hot water, it also delivers partial whole house ventilation.
Ventilation is a basic requirement for living in a healthy house. Controlled domestic ventilation with heat recovery helps you re-use the energy from within the property.
