Frequently asked questions

A ground source heat pump transfers heat from the ground outside your home or business to heat your underfloor heating or radiators. It can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for your hot taps and showers.

Almost anyone, provided that they are in the right geology, can have a GSHP borehole. We assess each site individually to determine suitability.

Yes, provided the geological conditions permit drilling. We have completed boreholes in basements and installed them under buildings prior to construction.

It is perfectly possible to have a GSHP borehole system at an older property. The system can be linked to radiators as well as underfloor heating.

Savings vary depending on the existing heat source. A GSHP system is low maintenance and can add value to your property. It can also significantly reduce your carbon footprint. As part of any proposal, we estimate your potential savings.

This depends on how much heat loss there is from your building, what kilowatt your system is and the geology below the site. The bigger the property, the more boreholes you are likely to need.

This can depend on the design, however boreholes usually need to be over 10 metres apart to maximise the efficiency of the heat pump system.

It depends on the size of the property. For a 3-bed dwelling, you will require approximately 3m × 1m of floor space.

At the surface you normally wouldn't see anything as the top of the borehole is buried below ground level.

Our purpose-built geothermal rigs can fit through 5ft gaps and work in an area of approximately 5 parking spaces per borehole.

We use rotary drilling rigs and drill using compressed air or mud flush with drilling fluids.

The average depth of borehole probes is 100 metres but depending on the nature of the site they can go as deep as 200 metres. It is essential that the correct number of probes are installed.

Not usually. However, each site should be assessed individually. There are sometimes drilling restrictions from the Environment Agency, local planning departments and London Underground. We can check this for you.

The geology is assessed at each site and the most appropriate grouting used. Thermally enhanced grout can be up to 3 times more conductive than cheaper grouts in certain geologies, ensuring maximum efficiency.

If you plan to abstract more than 20 cubic metres of water per day, you will need a water abstraction licence from the Environment Agency. Our licensing team handles the entire application process.

Yes. We recommend water quality testing to ensure the water meets drinking water standards. Filtration and treatment systems can be installed if required.

Typically a residential water borehole can be drilled in 1-3 days, depending on the depth and geology. The full installation including pump and pipework takes longer.

A water borehole and a closed-loop GSHP system use different boreholes and can be installed on the same site. However, a single water borehole cannot be used for both water supply and as a closed-loop heat pump.