Air source and ground source heat pumps both deliver low-carbon heating, but they are very different projects in practice.
Air source heat pumps (ASHP)
- Usually lower upfront complexity
- External unit and appropriate siting needed
- Often suitable for a wide range of existing homes
- Design still depends on good heat loss and emitter checks
Ground source heat pumps (GSHP)
- Can offer stable performance, especially in suitable sites
- Typically higher installation complexity
- Ground loop or borehole requirements can be significant
- Site access and ground conditions become critical
How to choose
Most decisions come down to three things: site constraints, budget, and project timescale. A proper survey should clarify whether either route is practical before detailed design starts.
Related pages: air source heat pump survey, ground source survey, pricing.