Ground source heat pumps are heat generating systems that take heat stored in the surface of the earth for use in space and water heating systems. Heat pumps can be used in combination with radiators or underfloor heating systems and can provide domestic hot water. The heat is transferred from the ground to the heating system by circulating a fluid, usually a mixture of water and antifreeze, around a loop of pipe buried in the ground.Ground source heat pumps offer a number of benefits, including lower carbon emissions, reduced fuel bills, a cost-effective off-gas grid alternative to oil, solid fuel or electric radiators. Heat pumps powered by a renewable energy source are completely renewable, and are a good source of renewable heat. Interest in this technology has grown in the UK over the past decade.The purpose of this Technical Memorandum is to provide information for practitioners to enable ground source heat pumps to be properly applied, and their environmental and economic potential to be realised. Specifically it aims to provide:understanding of the technology and its applicationinformation on the availability and comparability of systemsclarity on how gshps comply with building regulations, SBEM and Environment Agency regulationsunderstanding of the design, integration and procurement processinformation on maintenance, training and resourcesinformation on real performance with case studies.Contents1 Introduction1.1 Purpose of this publication1.2 How ground source heat pumps save energy and carbon1.3 Objectives and scope2 The ground as an energy source2.1 Introduction2.2 Geothermal energy2.3 Ground coupled heating and cooling systems2.4 System categorisation2.5 Thermal behaviour2.6 Ground temperatures in the UK2.7 Geological aspects of closed loop systems2.8 Geological aspects of open loop systems2.9 Use of the ground as a thermal energy store2.10 Regulatory issues3 Ground heat exchanger systems3.1 Introduction3.2 Closed loop systems3.3 Open loop systems4 Ground source heat pump units: technology and design4.1 Introduction4.2 The vapour compression cycle4.3 Coefficient of performance4.4 Minimisation of temperature lift4.5 Standard rating conditions4.6 Cycle enhancements4.7 Reversible heating and cooling systems4.8 Absorption cycle4.9 Power supply and modulation4.10 hfc refrigerants4.11 Non-hfc refrigerants4.12 Heat exchangers4.13 Compressors4.14 Expansion devices4.15 Refrigerant leakage5 Application and design5.1 Introduction5.2 Heat pump systems integration and design5.3 Controls5.4 Applications where heating and cooling loads exist5.5 Heating only systems5.6 Cooling only systems5.7 Domestic hot water5.8 Other heating and cooling loads5.9 Thermal balance in gshp systems5.10 Underground thermal storage energy storage (utes)6 Performance and cost comparison6.1 Introduction6.2 Performance of gshp and potential savings6.3 Performance measurement6.4 Running cost and savings6.5 Capital cost6.6 Maintenance6.7 Viability of installations6.8 Other reasons for choosing gshp7 Procurement and design7.1 Introduction7.2 Alignment with overall project procurement7.3 Common issues to be addressed7.4 Packaging for procurement7.5 Design process and parameters8 GSHP regulation and planning8.1 Introduction8.2 Building Regulations8.3 Planning8.4 F-Gas Regulations8.5 Regulatory issues8.6 The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)9 Installation, commissioning and maintenance9.1 Installation9.2 Testing and commissioning9.3 Maintenance10 ConclusionsReferences and bibliographyAppendix A1: Glossary of terms and abbreviationsAppendix A2: Thermal response testing and hydrogeological issuesA2.1 Thermal response testingA2.2 Hydrogeological issues for open loop systemsAppendix A3: Case studiesA3.1 Case study 1: Domestic ground source heat pumpA3.2 Case study 2: Klina Hospital (Antwerp, Belgium)A3.3 Case study 3: One New ChangeA3.4 Case study 4: B&Q New Malden