Most businesses are scrambling to meet the increasingly mandatory carbon emissions goals set by governments around the world — but you can also contribute to the process of saving the planet as a homeowner, while also saving a substantial amount of money in the long run.

One of the ways to do this is to install a ground source heat pump as the main source of heat and hot water in your home. As its name suggests, this pump collects heat from the ground surrounding your home and transfers it to your underfloor heating and radiators. Also, you can use it with hot water cylinders to supply hot water to your showers and taps.

Compared to traditional gas boilers, this is a far more energy-efficient and eco-friendly heating system — and though your exact running costs vary depending on your specific pump model, you’re almost certain to save a lot on your energy bills in the long run.

But how do you choose the right ground source heat pumps out of the many available models from different manufacturers? We’ll explore the answer to this question in-depth through our buyers’ guide and individual reviews of various units below.

Top Ground Source Pumps

Worcester-Bosch Greenstore 11 Combi

Key features:

• Extremely quiet
• High ErP efficiency rating
• Low Energy Consumption

There’s no list of home heating solutions without Worcester-Bosch — their Greenstore heat pumps are some of the best in the market, cementing the brand’s top spot among giants of home heating.

There are two different versions — system models (that require the installation of a separate water cylinder) and a combi model that comes with a built-in cylinder for hot water. Naturally, the former choice is the more affordable one. However, the 185-litre cylinder in the combi model is definitely worth the higher price.

Vaillant flexoTHERM

Key features:

• A++ to A+++ ErP efficiency
• Long (7 year) warranty
• 19 kW max power

If you’re looking for ground source heat pumps that are ideal for larger residential properties or commercial lots, the flexoTHERM series from Vaillant is an excellent choice. This German manufacturer has a long tradition of producing high-quality gas boilers, and their ground source heat pumps are just as great — but more efficient and eco-friendly.

Compared to other ground source heat pumps, one of the main advantages of the flexoTHERM units is their extreme quietness. Also, Vaillant provides you with a smartphone app that you can use to control and monitor your entire heating system.

Kensa Evo

Key features:

• A+++ efficiency rating
• High-quality stainless steel build
• Low heat waste due to a third heat exchanger

The Cornwall-based Kensa is a relatively new player in the ground source heat pump industry — but since its inception in 1999, they’ve produced a couple of award-winning designs. And their Evo series continues this short, but proud tradition.

Their A+++ efficiency rating makes them one of the most eco and budget-friendly models on the market. The energy efficiency of the Kensa Evo units is further increased with a third heat exchanger, which minimizes and reuses internal waste heat. The manufacturing quality is also standout, with corrosion-proof stainless steel that won’t be tarnished by British weather.

Plus, there’s also a proprietary control panel that provides advanced users with full control over their home’s heating system.

Ecoforest ecoGEO

Key features:

• Strong compressor
• High maximum flow temperature
• Noiseless operation

If you don’t mind the extensive groundwork that’s necessary for this eco-friendly powerhouse of a ground source heat pump, the Ecoforest ecoGEO is a great choice — and if nothing else, this series definitely wins the “Most Ecological Name” competition.

Jokes aside, Ecoforest is a reliable European heat pump manufacturer, and their high-end ecoGEO model has a great 5-22kW output range. With this unit, you get a maximum flow temperature of 70C and practically noiseless operation. However, as we’ve mentioned in the beginning, the advantages of ecoGEO’s strong compressor and the long-term energy savings comes with a more complex installation process.

Viessmann Vitocal 350-G

• Extremely powerful
• Low running costs
• Optional ability to pair units

Viessmann is another longtime gas boiler manufacturer, that has since branched out into newer home heating technologies like ground source heat pumps. And their Vitocal 350-G is definitely a worthy, though pricey contender.

On the one hand, you get an extremely powerful, quiet GSHP system with a maximum flow temperature of 70°C (for double stage units). And on the other hand, it’s definitely one of the most expensive models on the market; though that price is somewhat dampened by the low running costs.

Also, if you have higher heat demands than a single Vitocal 350-G unit can offer, you can pair two of them to extend their output and power. Two 42KW units can net you a whopping 84kW output when combined, for example.

Nibe S

Key features:

• User-friendly smartphone app
• Automatic temperature adjustment
• Integrated water heater

If you’re looking for great energy efficiency combined with modern smart technologies that make controlling your heating system easy — the Nibe S series has a couple of great models for you, especially the Nibe S1255. This ground source heat pump comes with an integrated water heater. Also, its WiFi integration and smart technology makes it a perfect fit for a modern smart home — it adjusts your indoor temperature automatically, though you can also make manual adjustments via tablets and smartphones.

The output range on the S series is 6kW to 25kW — if you need something heftier, there’s also the Nibe F series. Both come with a touchscreen display designed for user-friendliness, automatic indoor climate adjustments, and 180-litre hot water heaters.

Mitsubishi Ecodan

Key features:

• Multiple units can be integrated to reach a maximum capacity of 960kW
• Low maintenance
• User-friendly touchscreen controls

A single Mitsubishi Ecodan is an open-loop ground source heat pump that can extract heat from any water supply, from boreholes and aquifers to rivers and lakes. And you also have the ability to stack multiple Ecodan monoblocs together, reaching a potential capacity of 960kW at most.

This model has an A++ ErP rating, and it’s MCS approved — meaning you’d be eligible for a Renewable Heat Incentive with it.

Kensa Shoebox

Key features:

• Compact and small
• Ideal for flats
• Easy to install and quiet

Sometimes, great things come in the smallest of packages

While Evo is the most popular series by Kensa, the company generated plenty of goodwill from satisfied customers with their wittily-named Shoebox series as well. This is a small, extremely compact GSHP designed for flats and smaller dwellings. And though its two models only boast 3kW and 6kW outputs, they’ve also got an attractive under-£5000 price tag.

It’s one of the safest options for flat heating, thanks to the non-flammable refrigerant used by the Shoebox system; it doesn’t have the expenses, pesky maintenance, and risks that come with fossil fuel heating. And it’s quiet, which is important for a flat.

Best Ground Source Heat Pumps Buyers’ Guide

As you might have assumed, ground source heat pumps harness heat from the ground surrounding your home. Beneath the surface, temperatures are constantly between 10°C and 15°C throughout the year — and that’s something you can exploit to the benefit of your household.

Ground source heat pumps use a network of underground pipes and refrigerant fluid to absorb the ground’s heat and circulate it back to your house.

This ability to use low-level, ambient heat from the underground and produce usable energy will be a major asset for your household. Not only will you lower your carbon footprint and your energy bill, but also raise your property’s value.

Naturally, if you’re not intimately acquainted with the ground source heat pump market, choosing the right model for your home can seem difficult. And that’s why we’ll go over all of the factors that you have to consider before making a purchase!

Price

The energy needs of a household can vary wildly from home to home — which is why the prices of different ground source heat pump models vary as well. However, the two basic expenses you’re always dealing with are the price of the pump itself, and the additional cost of installation.

Depending on the manufacturer and specific unit you choose, you’re likely to pay a minimum of £8,000 for the pump itself. And the installation costs vary on the rates of the local installers and the specifics of your home — but with the labour price included, the cost goes up to between £15,000 and £30,000.

It may seem like ground source heat pumps aren’t the most affordable home investment — but in the long run, they actually provide sizable savings through lower energy bills. Also, you may be eligible for the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive which further lowers the cost of your initial investment. And there’s also the £5,000 Green Homes Grant.

Size

While choosing a ground source heat pump model, bear in mind that they require quite a lot of outdoor space. Their piping systems are buried beneath the ground, which also means your property needs to be accessible for digging equipment.

Now, depending on the size of the unit and the amount of free space, these pump pipes are either placed in horizontal or vertical boreholes. As you might imagine, the vertical pipes go further underground, so they don’t cover an area as wide as the horizontal boreholes do.

If all of this sounds complex, don’t worry — once they’re installed, ground source heat pumps don’t require much maintenance; particularly compared to a gas boiler that you need to service annually.

Type

There are two basic types of ground source heat pumps, depending on their loop systems: closed-loop systems and open-loop systems. The latter extracts heat from groundwater, while the former harness it from the actual ground.

Efficiency

Generally, ground source heat pumps produce about 3-4 kW for each used kW of electricity. These heat pumps are quite efficient, though the type of soil around your home can affect their precise level of efficiency. In the UK, the thermal properties of the ground can vary wildly by region — so make sure you get a precise efficiency estimate conducted by professionals before you install a heat pump on your property.

Beyond that, every pump has its own ErP (Energy-Related Products) efficiency standard. This standard ranks heating systems by their level of greenhouse gas emissions, from A+++ to G (A+++ being the highest).

Home Suitability

If you don’t believe that your property is a good fit for ground source heat pumps bear in mind that air source heat pumps are a viable alternative. Rather than extracting heat from the ground, they harness it from the air — with the same results when it comes to hot water and central heating. And while these air source heat pumps also require a bit of outdoor space, they’re a great choice if you don’t want to deal with extensive piping.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, there are numerous benefits to ground source heat pumps: lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint being the main ones. The only potential issues are the installation costs, which can vary depending on your household and the specific GSHP model you choose. However, if you choose reputable installers and a model from one of the reputable manufacturers we’ve mentioned above, you’ll probably enjoy huge long-term savings in the future.