Heat Pump FAQs

Heat pump basics

What is a heat pump?

A heat pump can extract energy from renewable sources such as ground, water and air. Watch our useful video on how heat pumps work and discover the environmental and financial advantages.

What is the efficiency of a heat pump?

The efficiency of a heat pump depends on factors such as the energy source or how well insulated the building is. See our top tips on maximising efficiency, how it’s affected and how it’s measured.

How do ground source heat pumps compare to other heating systems?

Ground source heat pumps provide heating and hot water without the emissions of fossil fuels like gas, LPG and oil. See how they compare in cost, carbon, maintenance and more.

How do gas boilers compare to ground source heat pumps?

Delivering a whopping 77% saving on emissions versus gas, see how ground source heating compares to the familiar boiler. Discover the differences in costs, efficiency, environmental impact and more.

What is the difference between an air source & ground source heat pump?

There are many factors that differentiate air source from ground source heat pumps – including the fact that air source units absorb heat energy from the air, and ground source units from the ground or water. Discover the differences in efficiency, running costs – and see our comparison animations!

How do heat pump systems work?

A ground source heat pump can deliver heating, hot water and even cooling. See our top tips on heat pumps with radiators or underfloor heating, and discover how hot your hot water can really be.

What compliance standards can heat pumps meet?

Ground source heat pumps can help projects affordably and easily conform to building methods and regulations. Explore the accreditations of Kensa’s heat pumps and how they benefit installers, households and businesses.

Can heat pumps provide cooling?

From summer cooling to combatting overheating, browse the benefits of passive and active cooling with ground source heat pumps. Includes potential costs and our very own video on how ground source cooling works.

Other common FAQs

What heat source can I use for a heat pump?

Ground source heat pumps can absorb energy from sources such as soil, water or rock. Find out how heat pumps collect heat and compare each source’s cost, space and efficiency.

What is a water source heat pump?

A water source heat pump absorbs energy from bodies of water such as ponds, lakes or even the sea. Explore our water source page to see who it’s ideal for, things to consider and all the different types of water sources you could harness heat from.

What are slinkies & straight pipes?

Slinky pipes and straight pipes are forms of ground arrays used to collect heat from surface soil. See how much space you might need, top tips, costs and one-to-one comparisons.

What is a ground source heat pump borehole?

A borehole is a type of ground array. Discover how deep they are, how they collect heat and what sort of projects they are perfect for.

What is district heating?

Traditionally, district heating means delivering heat to multiple dwellings from a centralised system. However, Kensa has a low-carbon approach. Discovers Kensa’s innovative Shared Ground Loop Arrays and how they connect communities to a net-zero carbon future.

How do ground source heat pumps reduce air pollution?

Air pollution is typically created by combustion heating systems that burn gas, oil, LPG or biomass to produce heat. Ground source heat pumps improve air quality with next-to-no emissions. See the important role they play in reducing pollution.

What is a cascaded heat pump system?

A cascaded heat pump system incorporates multiple heat pumps into a system. See how it works, who it benefits and discover the cascaded possibilities.