Against a turbulent backdrop of unprecedented energy price rises that will affect all members of society, ground source heat pumps offer stability by remaining the lowest cost (and lowest carbon) electric heating option.
The energy regulator - Ofgem announced the new energy price cap for April – the maximum amount that suppliers in Great Britain can charge domestic customers on standard tariffs. Rates have risen steeply because global wholesale prices have increased exponentially.
Ground source technology
Many existing Kensa customers may understandably be concerned about what these energy price hikes will mean for them, and people currently considering ground source technology in their properties will want to know how these changes may affect their decision.
Reasons for this include a cold winter in Europe in 2020/21 which put pressure on supplies
Why have energy prices risen so much? - There’s been pressure on gas and energy supplies across the world over the past year. Reasons for this include a cold winter in Europe in 2020/21 which put pressure on supplies, as well as a number of technical and geopolitical issues that are beyond suppliers’ control.
This impacts owners of electrically-powered heating devices, such as heat pumps, because a third of the UK’s electricity is currently generated by gas.
Fluctuating energy prices
The high price of electricity is also caused, partly, by the policy of previous governments who loaded electricity prices to pay for subsidies for renewable technologies. So, what does this mean for existing customers and are ground source heat pumps still a smart investment against rising energy prices?
The silver lining is, that by their very nature, ground source heat pumps can reduce the vulnerability to fluctuating energy prices. Ground source heat pumps deliver 3 to 4kW of renewable energy for every 1kW of electrical power consumed.
The rest of the energy needed is harnessed for free from ground (or water) sources around the property and replenished by sunlight and rainfall – effectively creating their very own natural energy battery.
Source heat pumps
This makes ground source heat pumps the most energy-efficient heating technology available
This makes ground source heat pumps the most energy-efficient heating technology available, reducing a property’s heating costs by around two-thirds compared to direct electric heaters, for example.
So, a smaller proportion of the power needed to run the heat pump is going to be affected by rising energy costs. And a system that produces much more energy than it consumes will deliver lower running costs for the household.
With an ErP rating of A+++, the Evo is Kensa’s most efficient heat pump. It is integrated with the ground-breaking Genesis System Manager, the world’s first ground source controller that monitors and records efficiencies to help the Evo perform at its best.
Running cost savings
Another benefit is that as a non-combustion heating system, there is no annual servicing requirement for a ground source heat pump, saving money compared to a gas boiler. There are, of course, simple system checks that can be performed by an installer which will help get the system ready for the heating season and make sure the heat pump is performing at its best.
Out of all forms of electric heating, ground source heat pumps bring the double benefits of highest efficiencies and lowest carbon footprint. They have already mentioned how they outstrip direct electric storage heaters for running cost savings by two-thirds. But, if they have already installed, or are considering installing a ground source heat pump rather than an air source variant, they are making a smart investment.
Unstable source temperature
The distinction between an air source and a ground source heat pump is important
The distinction between an air source and a ground source heat pump is important. Air temperatures can be unstable and fluctuate, particularly in the winter and after dark. The ground holds a stable temperature of 8 to 12°C all year round, which means the average ground temperature in winter will always be significantly warmer than the average air temperature.
Due to the unstable source temperature and lower efficiencies of air source heat pumps, customers will need to pay for more electricity to bring colder air up to temperature at the times when heating is typically needed the most, costing end-users more in the long term.
Power grid capacity
Because of their efficiency deficit, any heat pump rollout program featuring large numbers of air source heat pumps will require far more back-up generating and storage capacity than the ground source.
Hypothetically, if all homes across the UK were installed with air source heat pumps – on the coldest day of the year – the air source units would require additional power grid capacity equivalent to 2,400 x 10MW wind turbines or 8 x 3GW nuclear power stations versus the same homes heated with ground source heat pumps. And these backup power sources will likely have to be subsidized with taxpayers’ money.
Lower running costs
In addition to lower running costs, ground source heat pumps bring other advantages that increase their affordability in comparison with other technologies. Ground source heat pumps can be installed into any building – new or existing properties – and one of the unique benefits is minimal maintenance requirements and long-life expectancy.
This means it costs less to own a ground source heat pump than any other type of heating technology
This means it costs less to own a ground source heat pump than any other type of heating technology. As a non-combustion heating system, there is no annual servicing requirement for a ground source heat pump. It requires very little maintenance, and the unit is installed safely inside the home, away from damaging external elements.
Net-Zero targets
There is more good news; most heat pump system installations are made in tandem with energy efficiency measures which mean making changes to the building itself. This usually starts with insulation for the simple reason that heat is better contained inside an insulated building because its demand for energy is reduced.
If users have or are planning to, take measures to better insulate their home, then the heating system will perform better and help lower the running costs.
Let’s not forget that as electrically driven appliances with no combustion, ground source heat pumps emit no point-of-use emissions, which is why they are so vital in the fight against climate change and helping the UK reach its net-zero targets.
Reducing mortality and diseases
Because they don’t burn anything, they produce no air pollution – particulates, Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) or Sulphur Oxide (SOx). Poor air quality can be a huge risk to public health. A 2020 study suggests 17,000 premature deaths could be prevented each year by reducing mortality and diseases linked to poor air quality.
There are some NOx emissions associated at the point of electricity generation for the grid
There are some NOx emissions associated at the point of electricity generation for the grid, and therefore the small amount of electricity that is ultimately used to power the heat pump. However, the electricity consumed by a heat pump typically comes from power stations located outside of cities, in areas where air pollution is greatly reduced and it is simpler to monitor, measure and control local pollution effects.
Efficient ground source
As previously mentioned, ground source heat pumps use a small proportion of electricity compared to their output. As more renewables such as solar and wind supply the grid with power, there is potential to decarbonize the small portion of the electricity they consume.
This means the same low-cost, highly efficient ground source heat pump in the home could be even better for the environment and the air quality in ten years’ time. And that’s a smart investment.