Eight Updates on Technology & Trends for Ground Source Heat Pumps in New Build Developments
Almost three quarters (74%) of Millennial and Gen Z buyers (18-34 year olds) think energy efficiency improvements will increase the value of their home - and they’re right.
According to Rightmove, an EPC rating change from F to C could see an average increase of 15% in the value of a home.
If the environmental imperative for well-insulated homes with a renewable energy source wasn’t evident, the business case is: and by 2025 the Future Homes Standard (FHS) will revolutionise new build residential developments. This ambitious standard will require innovation to create more sustainable homes for the future.
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) will step up as an option for new build developments - commercial and residential - due to their energy efficiency and low environmental impact.
Let’s look at how new trends and developing tech combine to place GSHP as the renewable energy solution at the forefront of the new build construction industry.
GSHP Implementation in New Builds
For new build developments, incorporating GSHP systems from the design phase offers several advantages:
Site-Specific Design: Systems can be tailored to the specific geothermal characteristics of the site.
Optimised Integration: GSHP systems can be seamlessly integrated with other building systems, such as HVAC and hot water systems.
Energy Efficiency Incentives: New builds can often take advantage of government incentives and grants aimed at promoting renewable energy installations.
Whilst GSHP technology is appropriate for retrofit projects, there are advantages to utilising the technology at the design stage of a new build project.
Onboarding a GSHP design consultancy at the initial feasibility phase supports the most efficient system planning: the sooner design engineers and consultants can get involved in a new-build development, the more readily they can facilitate a seamless GSHP system design - with the knock-on effects being significant cost savings and risk management and improved project outcomes.
The premise of the MacLeamy Curve - is that costs are easiest to control early in the process. Once a project is under construction, changes become exponentially more expensive than in the design stage.
Having an expert ground source heat pump system designer - like Genius Energy Lab - on hand early in a project is a great risk mitigation strategy: especially critical on large-scale projects, not least as we can advise on some of the latest advancements and trends in GSHP technology and the sector for new builds.
Let’s dive into eight developments that might be of interest in your new build project.
1. Hybrid GSHP Systems for New Builds
Hybrid GSHP systems combine ground source heat pumps with other renewable technologies.
In the example of a hybrid GSHP and Photovoltaic-thermal (PVT), solar thermal is used to maximise the energy available from the sun and deposit this in the surrounding ground of the property for use in winter.
These systems basically work by taking surplus (or dedicated) solar energy during the summer and depositing this in the ground, raising the temperature. This energy is then reclaimed at a later date by a ground source heat pump increasing its efficiency.
PVT panels are a well-developed technology that generates both electricity and heat simultaneously. The photovoltaic (PV) part of the panels converts solar energy into electricity, but only about 20% of the solar energy is turned into electrical energy, with the rest becoming heat.
This is where the 'thermal' aspect comes in. Fluid flows through thermally conductive pipes behind the panels, capturing some of that excess heat. This process not only produces thermal energy but also cools the PV panels, improving their performance.
Instead of directly feeding into the heating system, PVT panels help boost ground temperatures. They transfer the captured heat to the returning leg of the heat pump circuit, raising the temperature of the fluid going back into the ground. This, in turn, increases the temperature of the bedrock around the borehole.
Although most PVT heating occurs in the summer, the bedrock's high heat capacity stores this heat, providing consistently higher temperatures to the heat pump year-round.
That PVT–GSHP hybrid systems can achieve higher energy efficiency than conventional single-heat-source renewable energy systems is a game-changer for both renewable energy sectors. In one study, the seasonal performance factor of the hybrid system was compared with that of the conventional GSHP system under the same design capacity condition.
According to their results, the seasonal performance factor of the hybrid system can increase approximately 55.3%, compared to a non-hybrid GSHP system.
2. Changing Perceptions of Ground Source Heat Pump Technology
Myths and misconceptions about GSHP have slowed their uptake. However, the dial is shifting and more architects and contractors understand the application of GSHP and its flexibility as a renewable energy source for any type of new build site.
In the past, erroneous perceptions about geological conditions, or size of site required have seen GSHP be dismissed as an energy source.
In truth, ground source heat pumps can extract heat from three types of renewable sources: soil, rock and water. They do this by using buried collectors called ground arrays. So, there are very few site conditions that will discount GSHP as a contender.
Surface soil allows for long shallow trenches with a ground array of slinky pipes.
A slinky is a length of coiled plastic pipe which is buried in the ground horizontally.These designs allow for efficient heat exchange and can be installed in smaller areas. Also known as a horizontal ground array, a slinky trench takes up much more ground area than vertical arrays like boreholes, but it’s cheaper to install because there is no need for specialist drilling equipment.
If the site’s geology is rock, drilled boreholes offer a compact solution, saving space and creating only minimal disruption to the ground on site.
Finally, water can be a very efficient source of heat transfer - and could include ponds, the sea and even aquifers.
3. Newly Defined GSHP Industry Standards and Procedures
As GSHP technology is a cornerstone of the UK’s decarbonisation goals, the industry is set to grow. Research and Markets predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 10% for the global GSHP market by 2026. As it grows, the sector is ensuring that standards remain high, so consumer confidence is never dented.
New GSHP Standards have been drawn up by the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) to help designers and installers of ground source systems, architects and engineers to specify a high level of design and installation for ground source systems - protecting the environment and maintaining the reputation of the industry as it does so.
Within this, MCS and GSHPA have combined their expertise to produce a new Drilling Standard specifically for the sector.
This comprehensive audit is designed to showcase competence and instil confidence among consumers, raising the bar for industry performance and fostering a culture of accountability and proficiency.
For those looking to utilise GSHP technology with borehole arrays, using an accredited drilling subcontractor is one way to ensure stakeholder confidence in the project’s success.
4. GSHP and Thermal Response Testing (TRT)
Becoming the industry standard, TRT is used to determine the thermal properties of the ground before installation.
Conducted on-site, this test helps ground source heat pump designers design more efficient systems tailored to the specific site conditions. It provides a set of precise performance data to inform our design. In many cases, this can reduce the amount of pipework required in the energy collector, providing overall savings on the system.
Measuring the precise performance of a test borehole, which can later be incorporated into the wider system, can be advantageous for larger projects and reduce friction when drilling your borehole ground array. Contact us for more information on our TRT service.
5. Variable Speed Compressors
Modern GSHP systems often feature variable speed compressors, which adjust their speed according to the heating or cooling demand.
Throughout the year, heat pumps need to operate at varying load conditions, which greatly affects their performance. During such situations, the capacity of the heat pump needs to be controlled to meet the building heating load.
A variable-speed heat pump runs at the exact speed needed to keep your home comfortable without wasting energy. As a result, this reduces output capacity and lengthens run times, both of which contribute to greater energy efficiency and lower utility bills.
6. Advanced Control Systems
Smart thermostats and advanced control systems can optimise the performance of GSHP systems by learning usage patterns and adjusting settings automatically.
Kensa’s Genesis System Manager is the world’s first ground source controller and integrated as part of their Evo ground source heat pump. Genesis monitors and records efficiencies to help the Evo perform optimally at all times.
7. Low-Temperature Distribution Systems
Incorporating low-temperature distribution systems in new builds, such as underfloor heating, can improve the efficiency of GSHP systems. These systems require lower temperatures to provide heating, which is well-suited to the output of GSHPs.
Combined with carefully calculated insulation to support GSHP efficiency, comfortable, low-carbon and energy efficient new build homes are possible with this renewable energy source.
8. GSHP Integration with District Heating
Heating and cooling account for half of the energy use in Europe and two-thirds of the heating is still provided by fossil fuel based boilers.
Therefore, the decarbonisation of the heating and cooling sector is an essential part of the strategy to reach the European Union's goal of reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to 1990. Electrification of heating and cooling through heat pumps and district heating and cooling are strategies to achieve this goal.
For larger developments, integrating GSHP systems with district heating networks can provide highly efficient heating and cooling across multiple buildings.
Genius Energy Lab has recently completed work designing a ground source heat pump system for a new build development of 381 homes, One Horton Heath, which, when completed will be the largest distributed ambient loop 5th-generation heat network ground source heat pump system globally. GSHP in this new build development will reduce carbon emissions and provide reliable and affordable heating, cooling and hot water to the new residents.
GSHP as district heating, how it can leverage economies of scale and further reduce carbon emissions are explored in more detail in this article.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that globally, heat pumps could decrease carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by over 500 million tonnes in 2030—equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions from all cars in Europe today.
And on top of the environmental wins, the efficiency, flexibility, and integration capabilities of GSHP technology makes it a viable and attractive option for new build developments.
If you’d like to explore how GSHP can work in your new build development, our engineers can help you begin that journey.