This week, drilling begins for the installation of the Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) for the new Memorial Hall. Without wishing to bore you (sorry) with too much technical information about GSHPs (and I could, I really could), I thought this would be a good time to provide a little background about what they are and what they do.
The new hall has been designed to maximise energy efficiency. To this end, renewable energy will be used, as opposed to burning fossil fuels such as coal or oil. The GSHP provides a way of heating the hall by making use of the renewable energy stored in the ground. As such, it is now regarded as one of the most energy efficient ways to heat buildings.
So how does it work? A GSHP works a bit like a fridge, but in reverse. If you hold your hand at the back of your fridge, you will feel heat coming out. That is because the fridge is effectively pumping heat from inside the fridge to the outside air, thereby making the inside of the fridge cold. A GSHP works by pumping heat that is stored in the ground into the water pipes of the building’s heating system.
In order to do this, pipes are sunk deep into the ground, usually up to 100 metres down – hence the drilling this week. When the system is completed and operational, water is circulated through these pipes to extract heat from deep underground. which is then used to heat the hall.
GHSPs provide constant heat to a building with low running costs. An oil-fired boiler would cost considerably more to run, and electric heating would be at least three times as expensive.
There are no hazardous gas emissions, no flammable oil, LPG or gas pipes, no flue or chimney and no unsightly fuel tanks. GSHP systems have absolutely no site emissions. There is no need for regular servicing or annual safety checks and maintenance is very low.
For these reasons, GSHPs are becoming increasingly popular within the Peak Park. Over Haddon’s new village hall will use a GSHP for its heating, for example. The Peak Park has also installed GSHPs in the new Moorland Centre in Edale, the new cycle hire centre at Parsley Hay, and at the Bushy Heath Farm training barn in Tideswell.
Our GSHP has been financed by a generous grant from the Peak District National Park Authority Sustainable Development Fund.
Click here to see photos and video footage of the work actually taking place in Parwich.
– Kevin S.
PARWICH.ORG 
Thanks for the info Kevin.
Ben
PS Day one of the drilling and they have got down about 40 meters on the first of the three holes they will be drilling.
Thank you, Mr Science!
Thanks for the great info, Kevin, a video of the drilling, and yours truly getting drenched by water coming soon!
Mike G.
Anyone who fancies a mind bending dose of boredom should follow the link above provided by Kevin S. To tell the truth there is some very interesting information as well.