Engineers have started work on the ground source heat pump (GSHP) for Darwin Hall in Lichfield. The first phase of work involves drilling 3 x 100m deep bore holes located in the southern area of the site. A closed U-tube filled with water and anti-freeze will be placed within the bore holes. The natural heat from the surrounding ground will heat up the water which is then pumped up to the surface. Via a heat exchange unit, the GSHP will provide the community centre with all its heating and hot water needs. The system will provide the building with an internal temperature of approximately 24ºC. The costs for running the GSHP will be around £1 per day. For every 1 unit of electricity used to run the GSHP, an equivalent of 4 units will be produced – giving an energy efficiency of approximately 400% (typical boilers operate at 70-95%).
