2 June 2025
Recent years have seen a significant increase in the popularity of technologies based on renewable energy sources. One solution that uses natural resources is heat pumps. These are ecological, energy-saving and efficient heating systems that ensure high thermal comfort and convenience of use.
Heat pumps use various energy sources - from the air, from the ground or from the water. The most efficient solutions are currently ground heat pumps. How does a ground heat pump work? What is a heat exchanger? What are the advantages and disadvantages of installing a ground heat pump? Find out the answers to each of these questions!
The principle of operation of the heat pump
The heat pump is a modern and innovative device that uses renewable energy sources for its operation. It takes thermal energy from the building's surroundings, i.e. from the ground, from water or from the air, and then gives off heat to the heating system. In 75%, the operation of the heat pump is based on energy obtained from natural resources, and 25% requires electricity. That is why a perfect solution is to combine investments in a heat pump with a photovoltaic installation, which provides free electricity generated from solar energy.
Heat pumps are heating systems that consist of:
- the lower heat source, whose task is to draw thermal energy from the outside,
- heat pumps directing heat to the heating system,
- upper heat source, i.e. an installation that distributes heat inside the rooms.
It should also be noted that the heat pump itself does not generate heat, but only takes it from the environment and directs it to the building. Due to the use of renewable energy sources, the heat pump is a very ecological solution. Moreover, during its operation, no harmful substances, including carbon dioxide, are emitted.
Types of heat pumps
Heat pumps can use various energy sources - from ground, water and atmospheric air. Therefore, three types can be distinguished:
- air heat pumps,
- water heat pumps,
- ground heat pumps.
All types of devices have a similar principle of operation. They also consist of similar internal elements. The difference, however, lies mainly in the system of collecting heat from the environment, which affects the method of their assembly, price and efficiency.
What are ground heat pumps?
A ground heat pump is a heating device that is to ensure the heating of the building and the preparation of domestic hot water. It takes heat from the ground and then, using refrigerant, delivers it to the building. The task of the ground heat pump is not to generate heat, but to allow its flow between the two sources - the upper and the lower.
Ground heat pumps are known for their high performance, which is the result of large deposits of thermal energy accumulated in the ground. The fluctuations in ground temperature are also small, regardless of changes in outside temperatures - it is a very stable energy source even in the event of a significant temperature drop below 0 degrees Celsius.
How does a ground heat pump work?
When considering how a ground heat pump works, it should first be noted that in the case of this type of heating system, it is necessary to install a ground exchanger responsible for the consumption of thermal energy from the ground. The heat exchanger is a pipe system placed underground at the appropriate depth. It is possible to install it in two ways - vertically or horizontally. The level collectors are laid under the ground surface on an area of even several dozen square meters, while the vertical collectors are placed deep into the ground. In the second case, drilling is necessary.
The ground exchanger is in the form of pipes made of plastic, which are filled with antifreeze, e.g. glycol. This fluid circulates in the pipes and receives heat from the ground, and then goes to the heat exchanger in the heat pump. The thermal energy taken from the ground is transferred to the refrigerant, which heats up, changing the state of concentration from the liquid to steam (this process takes place in a heat exchanger called an evaporator). The generated steam is directed to the compressor, in which its temperature is raised. The hot steam then goes to the condenser, in which the heat is redirected to the heating system, i.e. for underfloor heating or to radiators, as well as the installation ensuring heating of domestic hot water.
Benefits of installing a ground heat pump
The decision on which home heating system to choose is crucial for ensuring thermal comfort, as well as a huge impact on operating costs. Is the choice of a ground heat pump a good solution? Here are the most important of its advantages:
- Efficiency – ground heat pump is very efficient – stable ground temperature enables trouble-free operation of the device even in case of extreme temperature drops,
- Low operating costs – heat pumps are currently the cheapest available heating system,
- high thermal comfort,
- Connection to a photovoltaic system, which provides free current necessary for ground heat pump operation, which means that the heat pump does not generate any costs,
- The ground heat pump can be installed on virtually any ground, in the case of new and modernized construction,
- Small dimensions and aesthetics of workmanship - harmoniously fit into the surroundings, and to install them you do not need special rooms,
- Convenience of use – it is a maintenance-free, fully automated system – in addition to temperature control, you do not need to perform any work on it,
- Ecology – ground heat pumps do not harm the natural environment, as they do not emit exhaust fumes, dust or other toxic substances,
- Safety - the heat pump is not associated with the risk of fire, smoke or explosion, as is the case with many other heating systems.
Disadvantages of ground heat pumps
Ground pumps also have their drawbacks, which include:
- high investment cost, which results not only from the purchase of the device, but above all the installation of ground exchangers,
- the need for appropriate authorizations by persons installing ground heat pumps,
- The ground heat pump is also associated with installation works in the ground or boreholes, which translates into excavation of the plot (that is why ground heat pumps are best for new investments that do not have a planned outdoor space),
- large area, the plot is necessary for assembly - in the case of ground heat pumps with a horizontal collector.
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