Ground source heat pumps explained
Wondering what heat pumps do and why they’re better than a boiler? You’ve come to the right place!
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is a super-efficient, low-carbon way to heat your home. Instead of burning gas, it uses electricity to move natural heat from the environment into your home. While boilers give you quick bursts of high heat, heat pumps provide a steady flow of warmth to keep your home cosy throughout the day.
What is a ground source heat pump?
A ground source heat pump (GSHP) uses pipes buried in the ground to extract heat from below the ground to warm a home and its hot water. Even when it’s freezing outside, the ground stays nice and warm below the surface.
GSHPs are already very efficient, but we’ve made them even better…
The Superloop difference
A ground source heat pump — with an extra boost of recycled heat
Standard GSHPs use heat from the ground. Superloop-connected heat pumps go one step further.
A nearby data centre naturally produces heat as it runs. Instead of wasting it, we capture that heat and circulate it through the Superloop’s underground network — pre-warming the water before it reaches your heat pump. This means your heat pump works less hard to deliver the heat you need and your our heating becomes even more efficient and affordable.
Efficient
Up to 5x the heat for each unit of electricity
Cheap to run
Typical household savings of 25-40% on energy bills each year
Low-carbon
Up to 90% lower heating carbon emissions
Reliable hot water
Up to 65°C water for perfectly hot showers
How GSHPs work (all inside a sealed box):
- Heat moves from the Superloop to your heat pump: A liquid refrigerant (similar to that in your fridge or the air conditioning unit in your car) absorbs the heat from Superloop’s pre-warmed water circulating through your ground source heat pump and becomes a gas refrigerant.
- Your heat pump compresses gas to create more heat: The heat pump’s compressor gets to work, and raises the temperature of the gas even more.
- Heat moves from heat pump to home: Your heat pump transfers the heat to your central heating system or hot water tank.
- The cycle repeats: The heat pump’s refrigerant gas cools down, turning it back into a liquid. It’s then ready to begin the cycle again, picking up heat from Superloop’s pipe network in a closed loop.
Melbourn Energy Superloop will use ground source heat pumps from award-winning British manufacturer Kensa. Below, you can see how Superloop-connected systems compare with standard GSHPs and gas boilers.
The cost
With government grants and cashback incentives from banks and mortgage lenders, the upfront costs of getting a heat pump are less than you’d think.
The UK government’s heat pump grant scheme puts £7,500 towards the cost of replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump, and many of the biggest banks and mortgage lenders are offering a further £2,000 cashback to eligible customers.
Installation costs vary depending on property size, but in some cases, the government grant covers the full upfront cost, meaning you don’t have to pay anything to get cheaper electricity bills!
Finance options |
|
| £2,000 cashback reward for installing a heat pump | Lloyds – Eco Home Reward |
| Halifax – Green Living Reward | |
| Barclays – Greener Home Reward | |
| £1,000 cashback reward for installing a ground source heat pump | Ecology Building Society – Cashback Boost |
| Lower interest rate on borrowing if you install a heat pump | Nationwide – Green Additional Borrowing |
*Correct as of December 2025
FAQs
Are heat pumps noisy?
Ground source heat pumps, particularly smaller heat pumps, are not noisy. They often get confused with air source heat pumps, which due to their fans, tend to make a small amount of noise outside.
Noise will vary across different sized heat pumps. However, thanks to innovative insulation and advanced design in Kensa’s Shoebox and Evo heat pump series, noise isn’t a common issue.
Can a ground source heat pump provide hot water?
Yes, Kensa ground source heat pumps are capable of providing hot water up to 65°C.
Do they work in cold weather?
Yes, the ground maintains a relatively stable temperature below the frost line, so GSHPs retain high efficiency in winter.
Do I need planning permission?
Most homes won’t require planning permission because the GSHPs are located inside, and therefore permitted development. However, planning permissions will still be required for listed buildings. We’ll be able to provide advice during your survey appointment.
How will I operate my heat pump?
You’ll retain control of your hot water and heating temperature, using a simple or smart thermostat.
Do heat pumps work with smart tariffs?
Our Ground Source Heat Pumps can work with smart tariffs such as Octopus Cosy, so you’ll save money by using your heat pump at times when electricity is cheapest.