Choosing the best ground source heat pump for your home isn’t always easy, but here’s how this technology works: It takes heat from the earth and transfers it to your home for heating and hot water.
The ability of a ground source heat pump to harness ambient, low-level heat and convert it into usable energy will not only lower your energy bills and carbon footprint; it will also increase the value of your property.But how do you know which heat pump is best for your home?In this guide, we’ve compiled the overall value and performance of the best ground source heat pumps based on needs in several key areas.
Worcester-Bosch is one of the giants in home heating.Its Greenstore range of ground source heat pumps is highly regarded, efficient and offers a wide range of outputs to suit any type of property or heating needs.
Worcester-Bosch ground source heat pumps are available in two versions: a combined model or a system model.The combined version includes a built-in hot water tank, while the system model must be installed next to a separate Greenstore solar-ready tank.The combo series will meet the needs of most users and is more affordable while being equally powerful and energy efficient.
A big advantage of the Worcester-Bosch Greenstore 11 Combi is its built-in 185-litre cylinder.This means it is larger and heavier than other systems on the market, but without the need to install cylinders elsewhere on your property.Greenstore 11 Combi also offers up to 400% efficiency.This means that for one kilowatt of energy, your home can produce up to 4 kilowatts of energy.
Other novel features include a room temperature controller and weather compensation technology that monitors external conditions and programs the pump to make adjustments when needed.What’s more, its low-energy design helps keep electricity costs down.
Worcester-Bosch currently supplies only a few accessories for its Greenstar conventional boilers.It’s also worth checking with your local heating supplier, as they may offer accessories that can be used with Greenstore heat pump systems.
Worcester-Bosch is one of the oldest brands in home heating.It pioneered the development of conventional boilers, and the company was an early investor in developing renewable energy technologies.Its air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps are built to a very high standard, and all are at least Class A in energy efficiency.
Arguably, there is no better brand and no better company than the Worcester-Bosch Group when it comes to home heating.By investing in one of these systems, you can have confidence in its durability and customer support if something goes wrong.Of all the brands on this list of the best ground source heat pumps in the UK, Worcester Bosch offers the most options for different home types and energy needs.
Long known for its high-efficiency conventional boilers, German manufacturer Vaillant has entered the market for renewable heating systems and offers homeowners many reliable options.Its flexoTHERM units are multi-source heat pumps, which means they can use electricity from the ground as well as other sources such as water or air.
The Vaillant flexoTHERM range brings the quality German engineering you’ve come to expect from Vaillant’s brand, as well as extensive product support from the Vaillant engineering team.Of all the heat pumps on this list, Vaillant offers some of the best product support as one of the most trusted names in home heating.
What really sets flexoTHERM heat pumps apart from other products on the market is their near silent operation.All Vaillant appliances are certified with the Quiet Mark and emit noise levels comparable to standard refrigerators.
This precise German engineering also applies to other fields.Vapor injection compressors from flexoTHERM offer higher efficiency and greater flexibility in your domestic hot water (DHW) systems.These compressors also come with a warranty of up to seven years and should run for a minimum of 15 years.
Vaillant offers many accessories for its flexoTHERM ground source heat pumps.FluoCOLLECT water-to-water stainless steel heat exchangers provide water source adaptability, enabling your flexoTHERM heat pump to work as a water source heat pump.There is also a passive cooling module that provides passive cooling of your flexoTHERM pump.
Vaillant ground source heat pumps are efficient, reliable and quiet heating systems, the flexoTHERM models offer a variety of outputs.flexoTHERM is one of the best heat pumps for commercial properties and large residences and can be installed with up to seven individual units for greater electrical needs.At the same time, Vaillant’s GreeniQ technology helps ensure maximum efficiency and reliability.
Based in Cornwall, Kensa has been manufacturing and installing ground source heat pumps since 1999 and has won awards for their different designs.In fact, Kensa is the first company to create a ground source heat pump option for people in small apartments and condos with its Shoebox line.It was also the first manufacturer to create a ground return array system with individual heat pumps inside a property.
Kensa’s award-winning Evo range of ground source heat pumps are 15% more efficient than previous models, earning an impressive A+++ efficiency rating.For homeowners, this helps minimize operating costs and maximize revenue through the government’s Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) program.The Evo also comes with Kensa’s custom control panel and system manager, a first of its kind developed specifically for use with ground source heat pumps.
Kensa prides itself on the simplicity of the Evo, which promises ease of installation and setup compared to other systems, and online user reviews generally praise the company for its knowledge and realistic sales pitch.
The Kensa Evo delivers a heating and hot water efficiency of 4.7 SCoP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) at 35°C while significantly reducing noise output.Users will benefit from a 15% increase in efficiency compared to Kensa’s Compact series.The range offers output options from 7 kW to 17 kW, and the Evo Kensa introduces a number of performance enhancements.
The new self-regulating, pressure-controlled hot water system and domestic hot water booster controller are synchronized with the heat pump cycle to minimize energy use.There are now integrated water pumps for ground side and load side.The Evo also has a third heat exchanger to recover internal waste heat from the compressor circuit, increasing efficiency.
Kensa also opted for an all-new design for ease of installation and durability.The stainless steel heat exchanger eliminates the risk of corrosion and comes standard with weather compensation.
Kensa offers a fairly wide range of accessories for its Evo ground source heat pumps.Most are customized for different installations, from straight and tight piping to pond pads, purification pumps, in-ground and above-ground manifolds, and purification kits.
The Kensa Evo is best suited for medium to large residences, including existing properties and new build developments.To heat a home this size, you need the most energy-efficient option, and the Evo is the best on the market.There are also a variety of output options to meet the needs of specific households.Evo models are available in 7, 9, 13, 15 and 17 kW options.
What’s more, since the Evo qualifies for incentive payments from domestic RHI programs, you have the opportunity to earn a little cash back for using it.Combined with its minimal maintenance and no annual maintenance, the Evo is efficient in both energy and utility bills.
Ecoforest was one of the first European manufacturers to develop the technology required for geothermal heat pumps.The company’s inverter technology powering its compressors makes ecoGEO one of the most reliable units on the market.This particular model is one of the more popular ground source heat pumps because it is five times more efficient than traditional fossil fuel systems.
In addition to the 5-22 kW models we recommend here, ecoGEO also offers 1-9 kW and 3-12 kW versions in its basic range.Ecoforest’s basic range allows a wide range of DHW cylinders to be installed, and can even be used with existing cylinders in some cases, giving you great design flexibility.The cost range depends on your home size and system needs.Contact your local supplier to get a free quote for your custom system.
Ecoforest’s ecoGEO is the strongest option on our list of the best ground source heat pumps in the UK.It provides up to 22 kW of heating capacity on single-phase power.Users also appreciate its quiet operation and compact installation.
The high temperature recovery system allows the production of DHW at temperatures up to 70°C without electrical support, as well as the simultaneous production of DHW and heating/cooling.The open loop system also includes integrated management of four different discharge temperatures, dual buffer tanks for heating and cooling, a DHW tank, a sump and hourly control of DHW recirculation.
Ecoforest’s ecoSMART advanced controls allow you to set the heating in your home even when you are away from home.In addition to heating and air conditioning your home, ecoGEO can also heat your swimming pool.
Ecoforest offers accessories that can enhance your ecoGEO heat pump system.Its AU series air source units are available in a variety of power options (50 kW / 100 kW / 150 kW) and can be combined with your ecoGEO ground source heat pump.Ecoforest also offers its ecoSMART electronic manager when running multiple energy captures like this.
Ecoforest ecoGEO is one of the best ground source heat pumps for people with large properties or high heat loads.Even if your home is smaller and you want to expand into an attic or build an extension at a later date, you should consider ecoGEO.The ecoGEO’s 22 kW output is one of the best on the residential ground source heat pump market, and the company offers a more powerful option for those who have commercial properties to heat.
Like Vaillant, Viessmann is a trusted name in the home heating industry.Long a manufacturer of traditional boilers, it has expanded into ground source heat pumps and offers options to meet a wide range of needs.The company’s Vitocal models are some of the most popular ground source heat pumps because of their high power and efficiency.
The Viessmann Vitocal 350-G is the most powerful model in the range, offering single-stage heating outputs from 20.5 to 42.3kW and two-stage heating outputs from 41 to 84.6kW.The two-stage can also achieve flow temperatures up to 70°C thanks to its powerful EVI (Enhanced Vapor Injection) refrigerant loop compressor.The new unit uses enhanced vapor injection to cool the refrigerant so that it can be compressed more densely.This enables the Vitocal 350-G to provide high temperatures for modern projects and radiator heating systems.
The Vitocal 350-G is unique in that, for higher heat demands, you can pair units in a primary-secondary arrangement and extend their power.For example, if you have two Vitocal BW 351.B42 units with 42.3kW each, your output will double to 84.6kW.This makes the Vitocal 350-G series the most powerful residential ground source heat pumps to date.Thanks to its EVI compressor, the Vitocal 350-G can achieve an extremely high seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of 5.4, which contributes to its ultra-low operating costs.
It also boasts a low-vibration design, making it one of the quieter options in this output segment of the market.The Vitocal 350-G series also includes a water/water heat pump, allowing you to increase the output all the way up to 104.6 kW.
In addition, the Viessmann Vitocal 350-G is already equipped to harness the power of a photovoltaic system, if you install one of those as well.The intelligent control unit increases the on-site power consumption generated by the solar panel system.
Viessmann offers some additional functions available for Vitocal 350-G units.The Vitoconnect 100 is a WiFi interface that allows you to operate the heating system remotely via the ViCare app and supports remote maintenance.
The ViCare app allows you to adjust heating times from anywhere and see a running record of your cost savings.
The Vitocal 350-G series is ideal for those who need a lot of heating power.It’s probably the best ground source heat pump for a family living in a completely separate home.All those exterior walls mean higher heat demands, and the Vitocal 350-G certainly delivers.Other large residential or restoration projects will also benefit from this type of electricity.
Besides being powerful, the Vitocal 350-G does a lot of things well.It is one of the more efficient ground source heat pumps, which means your running costs will be low.We also like that it’s compatible with solar panel systems.The best solar panels should work in tandem with the rest of your green energy system.Viessmann has planned ahead for you to make your transition to solar power seamless.
When choosing the best ground source heat pumps in the UK, we take into account a number of factors including yield, efficiency, warranty period and of course the price tag and operating costs.For overall build quality, performance and value for money, Worcester-Bosch’s Greenstore tops our list.The company has been in the game for a long time, and its systems are not only extremely durable, but also offer the flexibility to future-proof your home.
We love that the Greenstore Combo Series comes with a built-in 185 liter cylinder.Granted, it’s larger than other ground source heat pumps in the UK, but it simplifies your system and eliminates the need to install separate cylinders.And, if you envision installing solar panels in your home in the future, invest a little more in the company’s line of Greenstore systems, and you’ll be able to connect the two systems to work together at that time.
This flexibility expands when you consider the range of output options available (from 5.4 kW to 10.2 kW) and the lowest A+ efficiency rating for all units in that range.In our opinion, for your money, there is no safer option than a Worcester-Bosch Greenstore ground source heat pump system.
Of course, other homeowners have more specific needs.You may live on a particularly large property, or maximum efficiency may be most important to you.To that end, we looked at the entire market to see which ground source heat pump would best meet some of these more niche needs.
Because every home and its energy needs are different, prices do vary.The cost of a ground source heat pump system also depends on where you live and how much the local installer charges.In general, though, a typical ground source heat pump system costs upwards of £8,000.
Remember: this does not include installation.The total cost of manually installing a ground source heat pump in the UK can vary from £15,000 to £30,000, depending on the size of your property.
However, there are ways to make this more cost-effective.First of all, the ground source heat pump belongs to the domestic renewable heat incentive.The program pays homeowners for any heat they generate using renewable energy.These payments last seven years from the date of installation.What’s more, ground source heat pump systems are eligible for the UK government’s Green Homes Grant, which will cover installation costs of up to £5,000 per household.
When you factor in grants, RHI payments and ground source heat pumps are cheaper to run than traditional gas heating, and over time you should recoup your investment and then some.
High installation costs are indeed the only major disadvantage of ground source heat pumps.Installation costs will dwarf what you pay for a traditional boiler, but you need to remember that after the initial investment, running costs are very low.You will also save money over time due to their high efficiency, which will help you recoup your investment.What’s more, there are many grants available to help cover initial installation costs.
A ground source heat pump works by extracting heat from the ground and delivering it to your central heating system through a network of underground pipes.When you go deep underground, the temperature of the earth is constant at around 10-12°C.The soil heats these pipes, and you can use that heat for radiators, hot water, or whatever heating element you use.