The Benefits of Geothermal Heat Networks

You may already have heard of the benefits that a geothermal. network provides to housing developments and individual properties, but unless you’ve spoken to an industry professional, you may not know where these benefits all come from - and what they could mean for you.

Here we take a look at why Rendesco’s Ground Source HeatNetwork (GSHN) and Ambient Heat Network (AHN) consistently outperform Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP), providing efficient clean heating solutions for amore sustainable future.

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The benefit to external footprints

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ASHPs feature a large external unit that must be installed in the limited yard/balcony space of a dwelling, close to where it's used. These units can take precious outdoor space away from the householder and due to their design requirements, can’t be neatly tucked away out-of-sight. This is because ASHP units require space around them to efficiently source air from the atmosphere without polluting their own in-takes.

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The GSHN and AHN solutions use ground source heat pumps (GSHP) that don’t feature a large, space hungry, external component attached to each property. They source from the ground instead of the air and are thus neatly buried beneath the ground's surface.

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A network (GSHN or AHN) based on GSHPs gives the developer back valuable external space around each dwelling, naturally adding perceived value to the property.

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The impact on internal footprints

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For a developer seeking to maximise the internal footprint of their homes, Rendesco’s GSHN is the superior product. A GSHN uses a centralised energy centre located on the development, which delivers heat to each property through a heat interface unit (HIU).

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In contrast, both AHN and ASHP systems require a heat pump unit to be installed inside each individual dwelling. A heat pump unit typically requires an amount of internal floorspace, but this can range drastically depending on the heat energy requirement. For smaller homes, heat pumps can small enough to be hidden beneath kitchen counters. For larger properties, the required heat pumps are similar in size to a storage tank that would be needed for gas or electric systems. A GSHP will be also relatively smaller than an ASHP because GSHPs are more energy efficient.

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A GSHN provides the most value through maximising available internal footprint, while also providing energy efficient heating and hot water - both of which can add perceived value to properties.

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The impact on CO2 emission saving

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All heat pump systems all provide a reduction on emissions compared with gas and electric heating systems, but they’re certainly not equals. What makes one heat pump system better at reducing carbon emissions compared to another is directly related to operational efficiency.

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Rendesco's GSHN and AHN are based on Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs), which are more energy efficient than ASHPs. Put simply, to provide the same amount of heat energy, ASHPs will use more electrical energy. This immediately makes ASHPs the lesser of the three options for saving CO2 emissions.

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And although GSHNs are highly energy efficient, slight inefficiencies can occur (compared to AHNs) due to charging large thermal stores to high temperatures and when transporting the stored heat energy around a development.

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An AHN is therefore the best option for saving CO2 emissions due to there being a heat pump in every property. Here, the GSHP is connected to a development-wide pipeline that provides a near-constant ambient temperature source for the heat pumps. This allows for the GSHPs to be designed specifically for a source temperature (rather than a large range of temperatures) – unlocking substantial performance efficiencies.

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Regardless of which solution is chosen, developers should immediately see the benefits of Rendesco’s GSHN and AHN when conducting their SAP assessments, allowing them to meet building regulations with greater ease compared with other technologies (incl. ASHPs).

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The impact on lifecycle costs

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Rendesco’s Ground Source Heat Network, its Ambient HeatNetwork, and Air SourceHeat Pumps have different lifecycle costs that will impact developers and end-users.

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Put simply, developers wish to minimise the cost of purchasing and installing systems, while maximising the value of the properties they are selling; homeowners wish to purchase a property with systems that work efficiently and have minimal ongoing maintenance, servicing, and replacement costs. Of the three systems, ASHPs have the worst overall life cycle costs. For a developer, an ASHP can be a relatively cheap option to install, and once the property has been sold, they no longer have responsibility for maintaining the ASHP. All these costs pass directly to the householder. As someone buying the house, uncertainty in running costs and performance of their heating and hot water system can lead to unease in their purchase decision.

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Rendesco’s GSHN and AHN are significantly superior for their lifecycle cost to both developers and end-users. For a developer, Rendesco’s GSHN and AHN are equal or less in cost than an ASHP scheme. Both GSHN and AHN are treated as a ‘utility’ and are designed, owned, and operated by professionals for their entire lifecycle – meaning a vested interest incorrect design and optimal running conditions.

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For the householder, all costs are simplified to standing metered, and servicing charges (where applicable), which benefit from economies of scale, are transparently communicated and predictable.

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While an ASHP offers a heat supply solution, properties attached to a GSHN or AHN simply offer more value for less lifecycle costs.

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Ground beats air

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Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) offer numerous advantages over air source heat pumps (ASHPs), one of the most significant being superior energy efficiency. GSHPs frequently exhibit higher coefficients of performance (COPs) than ASHPs due to the inherent properties of water and soil. The ground maintains a relatively stable temperature throughout the year, providing a more reliable source of heat compared to ambient air. What’s more, the higher density of water and soil means they can hold and transfer heat more effectively than air. This allows GSHPs to extract more heat per unit volume, leading to greater energy efficiency.

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This advantage also extends to the Seasonal PerformanceFactor (SPF), a measure of efficiency over an entire heating season. GSHPs typically outperform ASHPs for this as well. While ASHPs struggle to maintain efficiency during colder months when heating demand is highest, GSHPs maintain a steady performance due to the ground's consistent temperature.

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In terms of aesthetics and noise pollution, GSHPs also have a clear edge. Their main components are discreetly buried underground, in contrast to the potentially conspicuous and unattractive external units ofASHPs. Additionally, GSHPs operate more quietly, creating a less disruptive environment for households and neighbourhoods. Coupled with their longevity and consistent heat output, GSHPs present a more sustainable, efficient, and user-friendly heating solution.

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Find out more about Rendesco’s clean heat solutions.

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