Note: The author has some experience of geothermal installation, but little knowledge of heat pumps.

Pipes are embedded into the ground underneath or adjacent to the property and water is circulated. In the UK, soil temperatures only a few inches below ground are sufficient to allow energy to be extracted and condensed, providing usable heat for space heating, swimming pools etc.

The greater the depth of the embedded pipe, the greater the soil temperature and therefore the amount of heat accumulated.

Geothermal is used in parts of Germany for district heating schemes.

Advantages

Could be cost effective, depending on geological conditions.

Limitations

· Size and effectiveness of installation.
· Maintenance costs.

Costs

No data available

Applications

· Space heating of property.
· Could provide background heat with top up heat being provided by an alternative system.