Questions about ground source heat pumps are commonly asked by the MSE homeowner community. They wonder if they should choose a GSHP instead of an ASHP, how much space is required to install a GSHP and how expensive they are.
Should I get an ASHP or a GSHP?
"Why have air source heat pumps been mentioned several times but not ground source?"
"Also, how come you got a ground source heat pump instead of an air source heat pump?"
GSHPs can be more efficient in colder climates because the ground stays relatively warm year-round. However, they often require significant outdoor space and ground work for digging trenches or boreholes, making them more expensive and less practical for those without large gardens. By contrast, ASHPs are mentioned more often because they’re generally cheaper, easier to install and better suited to a wider variety of property sizes. It is possible to visit a GSHP and see it in action through Visit a Heat Pump.
How much space is required for a GSHP?
"There is a big garden area although the garden is adjacent to a canal – exactly how much space is needed for a ground source heat pump?"
"Another thought – what is the outside space like for ground source heating?"
"Any thoughts on the area requirements for the coils?"
"Could you get [a] ground source heat pump for terraced houses?"
GSHPs vary in the amount of outdoor space they require, depending on the type of system:
- Ground source heat pump (borehole): this option involves drilling one or more boreholes about 20cm wide and 75-200m deep. It doesn’t need much horizontal land, but does require enough access space for the drilling rig.
- Ground source heat pump (ground loop): this system uses underground pipework laid in a trench about 1-1.5m deep and 100-200m long, requiring roughly 600 square metres of mostly clear land. It’s generally best suited to properties with large, open gardens.
- Networked ground source heat pump: multiple properties share a network of buried pipes or boreholes, often installed beneath communal areas, with each home having its own small heat pump connected to the network. This arrangement can reduce the amount of individual indoor and outdoor space needed. However, it requires infrastructure shared between many homes, which means a lot of homes in the same street must get this technology for it to be viable.
In general, larger outdoor areas provide more flexibility for GSHP installation, while properties with limited space, like terraced houses or flats, makes these systems more challenging and less cost-effective to install.
Are GSHPs expensive?
"Ground source heat pump – will prices come down?"
"Presumably ground source is more expensive?"
"I did a little bit more digging on ground source heat pumps – correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't they quite expensive to install and require a lot of groundwork, digging holes, etc.?"
GSHPs generally cost more than other types of heat pumps due to the additional labour, materials and time needed for installing underground pipework. Between 2023 and 2024, the average cost of an MCS-certified GSHP installation was around £21,000, though this can vary depending on the system type. Borehole installations are typically more expensive, while ground loops tend to be cheaper. Networked ground source systems may reduce costs by spreading them across multiple properties and some are financed by third-party investors, removing upfront capital expenses. However, these systems usually need to be installed as part of a shared scheme within a neighborhood.
Most homeowners and landlords in England, Wales and Scotland are eligible for a £7,500 government grant to help pay for a GSHP, potentially offsetting some of the higher initial costs. See the following chapter for further details about these grants and schemes.
