This renewable energy system for heating your home comes in three different forms: ground source, water source and air source.

Ground Source heat pumps (GSHPs) are increasingly popular as many properties have access to sufficient land. Water source pumps depend on proximity to a body of water or river and are therefore less common. Air source heat pumps are an increasing popular choice in Northern Ireland.

Heat pumps are particularly suited to new build situations. To avail of the technology, the property should have incorporate a high level of insulation, underfloor heating and the installation of ground loops at an stage of construction. Heat pump systems perform best when producing a constant, moderate temperature; ideal for underfloor heating, requiring a lower temperature than radiators.

An air source heat pump unit is located outside the property and draws ambient air. The compressor then works to generate the required level of heat required.

To fully install a ground source heat pump can cost between £8000 and £12000. More so than with other technologies, the price for each heat pump installation is unique to each household. This is mainly due to the size of system and the amount of ground loop work that is required.

An air source heat pump will usually cost between £5000 and £8000 to install.

Most people in Northern Ireland who have installed a ground source or air source heat pump decide to avail of the Economy 7 tariff that NIE offer. This means they can run the heat pump during the night off the seven cheapest hours of electricity and store the heat energy created so that it can be used throughout the following day. However a heat pump will also need a boost of around 2-3 hours during the afternoon, which will mean running it at standard price electricity rate for that period.

A ground source heat pump makes use of solar heat energy that is stored in the ground. For a horizontal ground loop, it is recommended that the available land is approximately two to three times the footprint of the dwelling being heated. It is also important that the installer conducts a soil survey to assess the quality of the soil conditions. This is to ensure that the soil will be conduct heat effectively.

The main consideration with heat pumps is the necessity is to run an electrically powered pump for 8-10 hours per day. Domestic heat pump users in Northern Ireland can avail of the Economy 7 tariff, offered by Northern Ireland Electricity. This allows the heat pump to operate for seven hours during the night at a reduced unit rate so the heat pump can release heat throughout the following day. In the heating season, a heat pump is also likely to require a boost of around 2-3 hours during the afternoon at the standard unit rate.