Frequently Asked Questions

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What are Geothermal Heat Networks and how do they work?

There are two types of Geothermal Heat Network: Ambient Heat Networks (AHN) which use a shared borehole array as the ambient energy source and has individual heat pumps in each property to produce the heating and hot water; and Ground Source Heat Networks (GSHN) which use centralised ground source heat pumps and deep geothermal boreholes to produce and circulate usable heating and hot water to each dwelling on the network.

How does a heat pump work?

Heat pumps work by extracting heat from the air or ground, compressing it to a usable temperature, and then transferring it into a building to provide heating and hot water. This is done using a refrigeration cycle and an electrically powered compressor.

What are the benefits of using low-carbon heat networks?

Benefits of using Rendesco's Geothermal Heat Networks include: lower upfront costs for developers, reduced carbon missions, lower running costs, and improved energy efficiency/SAP performance.

How do you determine the size and capacity of a low-carbon heat network?

Our team of expert designers use specialist software and data from the thousands of homes on our existing heat networks to design your Geothermal Heat Network so that it works efficiently and effectively.

How much does it cost to install a Geothermal Heat Network?

The exact cost will vary depending on the specifics of each project. However, as a guide, you can expect a Ground Source Heat Network to cost £3,800 per dwelling (up to and including the Heat Interface Unit), and an Ambient Network to cost £4,900 per dwelling (up to and including the heat pump in each dwelling).

What is the maintenance required for a low-carbon heat network and how often is it needed?

One of the key benefits of our funded Geothermal Heat Network solution is that it is owned and operated by expert utility infrastructure specialists Last Mile. They are responsible for ongoing operation and maintenance of the network which saves your customers hassle and cost.

How long does it take to install a Geothermal Heat Network and how disruptive is the process?

The length of time it takes to install a low-carbon heat network will depend on the size of the building and the complexity of the project. Rendesco will provide a detailed timeline for each project once the design has been developed and refined. None of the design and build works for the Geothermal Heat Network should impact the critical path works of your project or disrupt works on site.

Can low-carbon heat networks be used in any type of building or location?

Yes, our Geothermal Heat Networks can be used in any type of building and in any location.

Are there any government incentives or subsidies available for low-carbon heat networks?

There are currently two main source of Government funding for heat networks in the UK: 1. The Green Heat Network Fund offers grants to low-carbon heat networks in England and Wales, and 2. The Scottish Heat Network Fund offers grants to low-carbon heat networks in Scotland. We can help with applications for your project.

What is the legal process for your funded networks?

Are there any areas that are unsuitable for geothermal heating?

There are a few, small areas of the UK which are unsuitable for geothermal heating but these areas are typically very remote and not land that would be developed anyway. We have completed over 400 projects across the UK and have never had a project that we couldn’t complete successfully!