With the extreme high temperatures continuing, overheating is a particular issue in many high-rise, high-density buildings. Networked ground source heat pumps (NGSHPs) are the perhaps surprising solution being proposed by Power On.
Neil Fitzsimons, managing director of Power On, explains: “While networked ground source heat pumps are known as sustainable solutions for low-carbon heating and hot water in urban areas, they are less well known for also providing effective cooling solutions. This is something they can do as a low-carbon, low-cost added extra.”
Passive cooling is entirely unique to ground source heat pumps. It is an inexpensive and sustainable way to provide effective cooling to high-rise, high-density developments in the warmer months.
High-rise and high-density developments are significantly more vulnerable to overheating during hot weather than standard houses due to such factors as expansive glazing, heavy insulation and the urban heat island effect. In addition, windows may not fully open and there are likely to be internal heat gains from occupants, appliances and lighting. It is also noted that most high-rise residences will not have a secondary cooler sleeping space, like a downstairs living room.
In winter the ambient ground temperature is warmer than the air temperature. NGSHPs use this heat, compressed through a heat pump, to deliver warmth to homes on the network. In the summer, the ground temperature is cooler than the air temperature, so by bypassing the heat pump, cool air can be delivered to the property, without expensive and unsightly outdoor units. Known as passive cooling, this uses a small circulation pump and fan to distribute the cool air around the property and can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of traditional air conditioning.
Not only do NGSHPs provide cooling, they also do not contribute additional unwanted heat to the building as, unlike combustion-based heating systems (like gas boilers), NGSHPs do not burn fuel to produce heat or hot water. Adding to the sustainability story, during the summer, any waste heat from the building can be transferred back into the network for higher heat pump operating efficiency in the winter.
NGSHPs meet the requirements of the Future Homes Standard by offering a 75-80% reduction on emissions. The passive cooling option helps to support the Part O Building regulations too, which focus on mitigating overheating in new residential buildings.
Neil Fitzsimons concludes: “As UK summers continue to get hotter, we need to be looking now to mitigate the issues for the future. Networked ground source heat pumps offer the ideal sustainable solution as they provide low-carbon and low-cost community heating, hot water, and cooling.”