In this week’s property blog post, we are going to be looking at sustainable building techniques within the residential sector.
With electric cars now a common sight on our roads, it is only a matter of time before fossil fuels are a thing of the past within our homes!
Ground source heating systems use the earth’s natural heat that exists within the ground. It harnesses this heat via pipes that are buried below ground around the property; it then extracts it and sends it to the home for domestic use.
Ground source heating can be used in the same way as any other domestic heating. However as they work through a gradual build up of stored heat, it is considered best to use the heat produced for appliances that run at a lower water temperature than is commonly used by boilers and radiator systems, for example underfloor heating systems, being a prolonged gradual heat as opposed to a short burst.
GSP heating works much like conventional under floor heating, with pipes woven below ground level, the aim will be to maximize the area that they cover, therefore giving them the maximum area to absorb heat from.
These pipes, will then transfer the heat to the boiler/tank/pump below ground level, which will then provide the home with the necessary heat and energy it needs for power.
Heat is stored in the earth’s surface via the suns solar rays, the upper 15 Meters of this surface maintain a constant temperature of circa 12˚C, therefore it acts as an excellent source of heat.
Ground source pump (GSP) heating offer a wide array of benefits
- Reduce CO2 emissions: on average savings will be around 540kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) every year.
- Reduce fuel bills: GSP’s can run on electricity, therefore there is no need to pay for gas, oil or solid fuels when heating the home, this cuts down the yearly overheads when heating.
Geothermal heating ranges from £7,000 upwards; with an average cost in the region of £8,000-10,000.
In order to power the sub-level pump there will be a need for electricity, however this cost and carbon footprint will be offset by the savings.
Per anum saving will range from £190 – £600 in terms of financials. With such a vast range of benefits ethical, practical and financial, it is clear to see why ground source heating is such a viable choice.
If you’re planning a sustainable build, why not get in touch with our Surveyors here at Stokemont today to see if conventional procedures such as the Party Wall etc Act 1996 will kick in and apply.
