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💧 Highest Efficiency • £7,500 BUS Grant Available

Water Source Heat Pumps

The most efficient heat pump technology available. Extract renewable heat from lakes, rivers, or boreholes for year-round heating, cooling, and hot water with up to 500% efficiency.

5-6kW
Output per 1kW input
100+ Years
Collector Lifespan
No Digging
Minimal Disruption
Water source heat pump installation

Why Choose Water Source?

The ultimate choice for maximum efficiency when you have access to water

⚡

Highest Efficiency

5-6kW of heat for every 1kW of electricity. The most efficient heat pump technology available.

❄️

Heating & Cooling

Year-round climate control with both active heating and passive cooling capabilities.

🌱

Minimal Groundwork

Less disruption than ground source systems. Collectors are submerged in water, not buried.

🔇

Silent Operation

No outdoor fan means virtually silent operation. Perfect for peaceful environments.

⏱️

100+ Year Collectors

Lake collectors can last over 100 years. Heat pumps last 20+ years with minimal maintenance.

💷

£7,500 BUS Grant

Eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. We handle all the paperwork for you.

How water source heat pumps work

How Water Source Heat Pumps Work

Water source heat pumps extract heat from lakes, rivers, streams, or boreholes. Water maintains a more consistent temperature than air, providing superior efficiency year-round.

1

Collectors absorb heat from water

Submerged collectors (lake mats or pond coils) extract warmth from the water source

2

Heat pump amplifies temperature

The compressor raises the temperature to usable levels for heating

3

Heat distributed throughout home

Warm water flows to radiators, underfloor heating, or hot water cylinder

Water Source Options

Choose the best solution for your property

🌊

Open Loop System

Water is extracted from the source, passes through the heat pump, then returned downstream. Higher efficiency but requires water quality management.

Best for: Wells & boreholes
🏞️

Lake Collector (Closed)

Pipe mats are submerged at the bottom of lakes or large ponds. Constructed on land then floated out and sunk with weights.

Best for: Lakes & large ponds
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Pond Mat (Slinky Coils)

Coiled pipes attached to a stainless-steel frame. Compact design ideal for smaller water sources where space is limited.

Best for: Smaller ponds

Is a Water Source Heat Pump Right for My Property?

Water source is ideal if you have access to a suitable water body and want the highest efficiency possible. Consider these factors:

✓
You have a lake, pond, river, or borehole on your property
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You want the maximum possible efficiency (lowest running costs)
✓
You prefer minimal garden disruption during installation
✓
You want both heating and cooling capabilities
✓
You're replacing a gas or oil boiler (£7,500 grant eligible)
Water source heat pump system

Heat Pump Comparison

Which heat pump is right for you?

Feature Water Source Ground Source Air Source
Efficiency (COP) 5-6 ⭐ 4-5 3-4
Collector Lifespan 100+ years ⭐ 100+ years N/A
Installation Disruption Minimal ⭐ Significant Minimal
Cooling Capability Active & Passive ⭐ Active & Passive Active Only
Noise Level Silent ⭐ Silent Low (outdoor fan)
Requires Water Access Yes No ⭐ No ⭐
BUS Grant £7,500 ✓ £7,500 ✓ £7,500 ✓
GOVERNMENT GRANT

Claim £7,500 with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

If you own your home and are replacing a gas or oil boiler, you may qualify for £7,500 in government funding towards your water source heat pump installation. We handle all the paperwork for you.

✓ Homeowners in England & Wales ✓ Replacing gas/oil boiler ✓ Valid EPC certificate
Check Your Eligibility →
Grant Amount
£7,500
per installation

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about water source heat pumps

What water sources can be used with a heat pump? +
Water source heat pumps can extract heat from lakes, rivers, streams, large ponds, mine water, sea water, and aquifers (underground water accessed via boreholes). The water source needs to be deep enough to avoid freezing and have sufficient volume for your heating requirements.
Do I need a licence to use water from a river or lake? +
Some installations may require licences from the Environment Agency, particularly open loop systems that extract and discharge water. Closed loop systems (where brine circulates in sealed pipes) typically don't require licensing. We can advise on the requirements for your specific situation.
What's the difference between open and closed loop systems? +
Open loop systems extract water directly from the source, pass it through the heat pump, then return it downstream. They're more efficient but require good water quality and may need licensing. Closed loop systems circulate a sealed refrigerant mixture (brine) through submerged collectors—the water source never enters the system.
How efficient are water source heat pumps? +
Water source heat pumps are the most efficient type available, achieving COPs (Coefficient of Performance) of 5-6. This means for every 1kW of electricity used, you get 5-6kW of heat—approximately 500-600% efficiency. This is higher than both ground source (4-5 COP) and air source (3-4 COP) heat pumps.
How much does a water source heat pump system cost? +
Costs vary depending on property size, water source type, and system complexity. Typically systems range from £15,000 to £30,000+ before the £7,500 BUS grant. Despite higher upfront costs than air source, water source systems offer the lowest running costs due to superior efficiency, often providing the best long-term value.
Can water source heat pumps provide cooling? +
Yes! Water source heat pumps

Ready to Switch to Water Source?

Get your free estimate in 5 minutes or speak to our team about the best solution for your property.

MCS Certified • 20 Years Experience • £7,500 Grant Available