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GSHP and your garden!

  • 11-01-2011 10:14am
    #1
    uptowngirly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 73 ✭✭


    I was out in a friend's house last night where they have a ground source heat pump installed (horizontally). He was explaining that the horizontal installation was about twice the ground floor area of his house and that he couldn't plant anything on top of that area (apart from grass) as it may interfere with the moisture content of the soil and moisture is really important for the heat pump to work well.

    I really hope I'm explaining this right :confused:

    Well, I nearly had a heart attack! We are hoping to put in a GSHP on our site, but even though the site isn't small, I really want to be able to plant things on top of the location (there will be trees either side of the driveway etc)

    Has my friend got it wrong or will I have a massive expanse of lawn where there'll be nothing on it except grass??


Comments

  • #2
    KAGY
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,093 ✭✭✭KAGY


    uptowngirly wrote: »
    <snip> he couldn't plant anything on top of that area (apart from grass) as it may interfere with the moisture content of the soil and moisture is really important for the heat pump to work well.
    <snip>
    Has my friend got it wrong or will I have a massive expanse of lawn where there'll be nothing on it except grass??

    I certainly wouldn't plant anything like a tree or things with deep roots. I also wouldn't have anything shading the area too much, the ground is your solar collector. However, I have raised vegetable beds partially over ours (the rest is overgrown grass) and I've experienced no problems. Maybe it's a bit less efficient theoretically?

    What is your soil like, is it normally dry? Grass is a thirsty crop too!


  • #3
    Condenser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 536 ✭✭✭Condenser


    You can plant over it but not anything deep rooting as you run the risk of eventually damaging a pipe. Most of your energy in Ireland will come from the rain, so no impervious surfaces such as paths or driveways should go over the collector. Shrubs here and there are no harm though


  • #4
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,822 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    ...not only that, I've seen one where the collector pipes come to the surface, and even the grass struggles to grow on it, due to the lower soil temperature.......

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  • #5
    Condenser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 536 ✭✭✭Condenser


    galwaytt wrote: »
    ...not only that, I've seen one where the collector pipes come to the surface, and even the grass struggles to grow on it, due to the lower soil temperature.......

    Thats most likely due to the collector being sized too small and extracting too much energy from a small area. The ground doesn't get a chance to recharge and freezes up. Can also happen if water is stagnant and not seeping through the ground.


  • #6
    uptowngirly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 73 ✭✭uptowngirly


    Jesus wept! I think I'd lose the run of myself altogether if the collector pipes arrived up to the surface - disaster :eek:

    So far I've had two different sizes given to me re the heat pump (I'm interested to see what size you think I need condenser!) - but I'm guessing the collector area would be similar (note to self...must check collector area!)

    Thanks a million for all the replies though - it's a definite consideration when you think how much land it takes up.


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  • #7
    fclauson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,691 ✭✭✭fclauson


    Model your house in BER and PHPP to determine the heat deamand on the house first.

    Many factors (basically U value, window G factor, and orientation) will have an effect on the amout of heating you actually need.

    Remember to have a way of topping up the heat - the long term average for dec in Ireland is about +2 - but last winter the average was about -5. Thats ok for a few days - but when it lasts 4 weeks you will need something to keep the house warm over and above what the models suggest you need.

    Francis


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