The BOSS Federation is the trade association which serves the UK office supplies and services industry by providing a range of initiatives, cost saving benefits and services, to enhance the business performance of its members.
Ground source heat pumps use heat from the earth to obtain renewable thermal energy. Pipes are laid in a loop a few metres underground where temperatures are kept naturally constant all year round at approximately 12 degrees C. Water with a small amount of antifreeze is pumped around the loop of underground piping where it gets heated up and then this thermal energy is transferred to the buildings heating or hot water system. The thermal energy gained from the heat pump is typically three to four times higher than the electrical energy required to run the pump. In some circumstances the pump can be reversed to provide cooling during hot seasons.
Ground source heat pumps can greatly improve the environmental performance of a site through the utilisation of a renewable energy source for contributing to heating or cooling systems but are usually only considered viable for new builds rather than retro-fitting to old sites due to the excavation involved in construction. There may be Government grants or other financial incentives such as tax-free loans or enhanced capital allowance benefits available depending upon the equipment utilised and circumstance of the organisation so it is advisable to investigate this possibility at the planning stage of any potential plans to include this technology.
________________________________________________________________________
Links to useful websites