What does it mean?
Ground source heating (bergvärme) is a heating system that extracts stored solar energy from bedrock via a borehole, typically 100-200 meters deep. A heat pump concentrates the heat and distributes it to the house's heating system. The system is very energy efficient — for every kWh of electricity the heat pump uses, it delivers 3-4 kWh of heat.
Ground source heating is most common in houses and smaller residential buildings but also occurs in smaller apartment buildings. Installation requires a municipal permit for drilling and an investment of 150,000-250,000 SEK depending on borehole depth and heat pump capacity. Operating costs are low, however, and the investment typically pays for itself within 5-10 years compared to direct electric heating. Ground source heating is an environmentally friendly option that significantly reduces climate impact.
Key Points
- Extracts energy from bedrock via boreholes (100-200 m deep)
- Delivers 3-4 kWh heat per kWh electricity — very energy efficient
- Requires municipal permit for drilling
- Investment cost 150,000-250,000 SEK, payback period 5-10 years
- Most common in houses but found in smaller apartment buildings
Practical Tip
If you live in a house with ground source heating, ensure the heat pump is serviced regularly (every two years) for optimal performance. Check that the borehole isn't too close to your neighbor's — minimum distance is normally 20 meters. When buying a house with ground source heating, ask for the installation date and service reports.
Based on content from Bofrid's Knowledge Bank