Drilling rig being lowered into a London basement

Boreholes for ground source heat pumps

Choosing to drill a borehole for your ground source heat pump system (GSHP) is just far more versatile. Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about boreholes for ground source heat pumps, including their benefits, costs, and how to get a free quote.

Arrange a free quote

A borehole for a ground source heat pump (sometimes known as a geothermal borehole) is drilled deep into the ground. Whilst you’ll often find them positioned in a driveway or garden, many people don’t realise it’s possible to drill in a basement or under a building.

Ground source heat pumps are an efficient and eco-friendly way to heat and cool buildings. A crucial component of these systems is a borehole or trench system, both will extract heat from the ground.

Drilling a borehole for a ground source heat pump is most likely the most practical solution. This specialised drilling process needs experienced professionals who’ll ensure the boreholes are drilled safely and efficiently.

Why use boreholes for your ground source heat pump project?

A borehole for a heat pump is just a much more practical solution. This is especially true if you live in an urban area with only a garden, driveway, or limited space.

An alternative to a borehole is a horizontal system which uses large shallow trenches that cover a large area of land. If you have a large plot of land, digging trenches can lower the initial cost of installing ground source heating, however it can take roughly a year for the ground to recover.

Boreholes for ground source heat pumps also represent a more reliable energy source – trench systems are vulnerable to temperature changes whereas the depth of a geothermal borehole means it remains at a constant temperature.

The Benefits of Ground Source Heat Pumps and Boreholes

In an era where sustainable solutions are in high demand, ground source heat pumps and boreholes have emerged as game-changers in the realm of energy efficiency. By tapping into the natural heat stored beneath our feet, these innovative technologies provide a reliable and renewable source of warmth for heating and cooling purposes. But their benefits go far beyond reducing carbon emissions.

Ground source heat pumps and boreholes offer significant cost savings over the long term.
They have minimal maintenance requirements.
Visually unobtrusive and also much quieter than air source systems.
They offer stable temperatures no matter the weather outside.

The by-product of using ground source heat pumps and boreholes is essentially free cooling. This is perfect for businesses and homes alike! Pool areas are a great example of where this technology can be exploited to its full potential.

How much will my heat pump borehole cost?

A site in London where the GSI team are drilling several geothermal boreholes for heat pumps

The cost of drilling boreholes for ground source heat pumps can depend on several factors:

The geology of your area
How many boreholes you’ll need
The depth we need to drill
The width of the borehole
Pumps and equipment

The geology of your area:

Before we drill a borehole for water or heating, we’ll check the geology of your area. Some rock is harder to drill meaning the process may take longer and the equipment needed may vary.

The geology is especially important when we drill for water. The formation of some soils for instance, clay soil make drilling and extracting water more difficult. The mineral content of the ground will also affect the type of filter we need to use.

How many ground source heat pump boreholes you’ll need:

If you’re considering installing a ground source heat system, the amount of geothermal bore holes you’ll need depends on what you’ll use your system for.

You may decide you only want to heat a particular area such as a pool and pool house. So, for example to maintain a private 20 x 10-meter pool at a temperature of around 26°C-30°C you may need 2 or 3 boreholes.

In the UK residential properties can vary greatly in terms of size, heating capacity and quality of insulation. Heating, cooling and supplying hot water for a 4 to 5-bedroom home may need upwards of 3 boreholes at 80 to 110 metres deep. Commercial buildings and new build developments many more.

The depth we need to drill:

Like many drilling companies we calculate some of the drilling cost per meter.

For water boreholes we’ll only drill to the depth that’s needed to draw water and maintain a stable constant supply. In many cases it’s around 50 to 60 meters, occasionally up to 70 meters. Ground source heat pump boreholes can range from 15 to 200 meters and most are around 20cm wide.

Finally:

Because there are many variables, we’d never advise you accept a drilling cost without the company carrying out a site survey and discussing your needs first. GSI will always talk through your needs and expectations first by phone and then follow up with a site visit. From there we’ll provide you with a detailed accurate quote and timescale.

A drilling rig finalising the last of several bore holes for ground source heat pumps on a project in London.

We’ve drilled 1000s of boreholes for heat pumps across the UK

A ground source heat pump borehole is a customised solution for each property or business. The size of the property, the location of the heat system, and the geological conditions of the area all play a role in determining the specifics of your geothermal drilling project.

With over 19 years of experience, our drilling company has worked all over the UK, including the Channel Islands.

Our team of experts has extensive geological knowledge, allowing us to determine if your location is suitable for geothermal drilling. We’ve encountered a variety of ground conditions and are equipped to handle any challenges that may arise during the drilling process.

Help installing your ground source heat pump system

If you live in the Rutland and Leicestershire area, not only can we drill your boreholes for a heat pump but also install a full ground source heat system.

Even if you’re further afield we can still help by recommending a number of trusted heat pump installers, just get in touch.