GSHP pipes below percolation.

baby builder

Morning!
As the title suggests, I'm wondering if it's possible to locate half of my geothermal pipes underneath the percolation area? (new build - commencement notice going in on Monday)

We have planning permission for a septic tank and percolation area consisting of ten 18m long runs / the ground since heat pump collector systems will take up about 300m and obviously the cost would be lowered by putting half of this underneath the percolation.

Is there any issue with doing this?
Thanks in advance!

_Brian

Are they not to be placed at similar depths ??

baby builder

I don't know _Brian!

It was suggested to me by a neighbour who did it on his new build a couple of years ago. Was just looking for feedback as to if it's a good idea or not from the expert boardies!

Condenser

I wouldn't recommend it. If something goes wrong with one you'll lose them both. Percolation can give problems over time especially if over saturated with vast volumes of water. This leads to poor conditions for the collector and potentially needing to refurb the percolation.

baby builder

Thanks Condenser!

What do people do regarding planting with such a massive area being taken up with the collector area for the gshp?

As far as I was aware, only grass can be planted over it and in the vicinity - trees/shrubs with a large root system etc all need to be kept at a good distance for fear they would damage the collector pipes.

I know that this is the same for the percolation - hence there'd be very little room for any planting when 500m2 would be taken up with gshp collector and percolation.

Condenser

baby builder wrote: »

Thanks Condenser!

What do people do regarding planting with such a massive area being taken up with the collector area for the gshp?

As far as I was aware, only grass can be planted over it and in the vicinity - trees/shrubs with a large root system etc all need to be kept at a good distance for fear they would damage the collector pipes.

I know that this is the same for the percolation - hence there'd be very little room for any planting when 500m2 would be taken up with gshp collector and percolation.

Shrubs are generally fine but trees would need to be kept away alright. If space is an issue vertical bores are always an option. Most people seem to fit them fine even if it means putting one in the front lawn and one in the back.

baby builder

That's great to know about shrubs - I presume that includes hedging?

I was hoping to keep everything out the front as between patios, planting and trees out the back - it was a worry.

Out the front there is a driveway with three specimen trees on either side, but it would have been kept a good distance from the gshp and percolation area.

Will have to look at the garden design again to see if there's anywhere else to fit the blasted thing! The site is over 1.5 acres - it can't be this difficult!!

Splitting it could also work - half out the front and half out the back - will take a look at that option too. Thanks a million!

caddy16

baby builder wrote: »

Morning!
As the title suggests, I'm wondering if it's possible to locate half of my geothermal pipes underneath the percolation area? (new build - commencement notice going in on Monday)

We have planning permission for a septic tank and percolation area consisting of ten 18m long runs / the ground since heat pump collector systems will take up about 300m and obviously the cost would be lowered by putting half of this underneath the percolation.

Is there any issue with doing this?
Thanks in advance!

Just wondering if you went ahead with this, we've been advised something similar?

caddy16

caddy16 wrote: »

Just wondering if you went ahead with this, we've been advised something similar?

Anyone gone this route?

KCross

I did in 2011, no issues yet!

You would be hoping the collector won’t need pulling up. If the percolation needs work it can be done without damaging the collector assuming you have left plenty distance between them.

It’s a bit of a risk I suppose but it’s a fairly small risk, imo.

caddy16

KCross wrote: »

I did in 2011, no issues yet!

You would be hoping the collector won’t need pulling up. If the percolation needs work it can be done without damaging the collector assuming you have left plenty distance between them.

It’s a bit of a risk I suppose but it’s a fairly small risk, imo.

That's what our proposed installer and engineer said. Good to hear from someone who actually did it. Thanks for the feedback.

KCross

I didnt really have much of a choice either way. I've a big site but the way its laid out I couldn't put the collector anywhere else (900m of pipework takes up a lot of space) and the percolation area is also set in the planning documents with very little wriggle room to move it around anyway as you have to keep it away from your well.