Ground Source Heat Pumps
Looking for one of the most efficient, cost-effective ways to heat your home? A ground source heat pump (GSHP) could be the answer. Using the consistent warmth stored in the earth beneath your garden or outdoor space, this renewable heating system provides reliable, low-carbon heating and hot water - no matter the weather.
At Wells Renewables, we design and install ground source heat pump systems across Kent and Sussex, giving homeowners long-term savings, energy independence and year-round comfort.
What Is a Ground Source Heat Pump?
A ground source heat pump extracts heat energy from the ground and transfers it into your home via radiators or underfloor heating. It can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for taps, baths and showers.
The system works using a network of pipes buried in the ground - either laid out in shallow trenches or inserted vertically into a borehole. These pipes absorb naturally stored geothermal heat and carry it to the pump, where it’s compressed and transferred into your home.
The result? Consistent, reliable heat that uses significantly less electricity than traditional systems.
How Ground Source Heat Pumps Work
1. Heat is absorbed from the ground
A loop of pipe is buried outside - either in a horizontal trench or vertical borehole - filled with a refrigerant or water-based solution that absorbs heat from the surrounding soil.
2. The heat is compressed
The collected energy is transferred to the heat pump, where it’s compressed to increase the temperature.
Here’s a high-level look at how the system operates:
3. Heat is delivered to your home
This energy is then circulated through your heating system (radiators or underfloor) and hot water cylinder.
4. The cycle repeats
The cooled fluid is sent back into the ground loop and the process starts again.
What Makes Ground Source Heat Pumps So Efficient?
Heat pumps are much more efficient than traditional boilers because they don’t generate heat - they transfer it. The key measure of efficiency is the Coefficient of Performance (CoP). If a ground source heat pump has a CoP of 3.0, it produces three units of heat for every one unit of electricity it consumes. That means:
(Source: Energy Saving Trust)
Is a Ground Source Heat Pump Right for Your Home?
GSHPs are best suited to homes with outdoor space for pipework or boreholes. They’re ideal for:
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Homeowners looking for maximum energy savings
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New builds with good insulation
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Renovation projects where heating upgrades are already planned
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Properties with space for a garden trench or borehole (approx. 180mm in diameter)
Our team can assess your site and advise whether horizontal or vertical pipework is best for your needs.
Benefits of Ground Source Heat Pumps
Once installed, ground source systems can dramatically reduce your heating bills.
With minimal moving parts and a buried ground loop that lasts over 50 years, these systems offer excellent long-term performance.
GSHPs use renewable ground energy, helping you reduce your carbon footprint.
Homeowners may be eligible for up to £7,500 through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, helping offset installation costs.
Expert Installation by Wells Renewables
With years of experience in renewable heating solutions, we’re proud to offer ground source heat pump installation across Kent and Sussex.
We handle every step of the process - from technical site assessment and borehole planning to installation, setup and servicing.
✔ Local experts in renewable heating
✔ MCS-certified installations
✔ Borehole and trench system specialists
✔ Domestic and new-build experience
Get a Free Site Assessment and Quote
Thinking of upgrading to a ground source heat pump? Let’s find out if it’s right for your home. We’ll assess your property, explain your options and provide a detailed quote with no obligation. Contact us today.