Can ground source heat pumps work with radiators​?

One of the biggest anxieties homeowners face when moving from a fossil-fuel boiler to a renewable system is the potential upheaval of replacing every radiator with bulky, oversized units or installing costly underfloor heating.
 

The good news? The answer to the question, "Can ground source heat pumps work with radiators?" is a resounding yes. And with the arrival of advanced, High-Temperature Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) like the LinkedGo R290, that "yes" has become far simpler and more efficient for retrofits.
 

This guide combines the fundamentals of heat pump efficiency with a detailed look at how high-temperature R290 units are transforming the retrofit landscape, making the transition to green heating easier than ever.

A standard heat pump, designed to be most efficient at 35℃, struggles to heat an older home with traditional radiators because the emitters don't have enough surface area to warm the room quickly using only 50℃ water. Forcing it to 65℃ severely impacts its efficiency, negating much of the potential energy savings.

The LinkedGo Solution: 75℃ Output

The LinkedGo R290 Ground Source Heat Pump breaks this mould. Its key specification—High Water Temperature up to 75℃—makes it a boiler replacement technology, not just a low-temperature system.

This high output means:

1.Direct Radiator Compatibility: In many homes, the existing radiators can handle this temperature, immediately eliminating the need for expensive, disruptive emitter replacement.Domestic 

2.Hot Water (DHW): It can reliably and safely heat the domestic hot water cylinder to 65℃ or more, preventing bacteria like Legionella without relying on an inefficient electric immersion heater backup.

✅ Efficiency & Performance: The Inverter and R290 AdvantageWhile the 75℃ output solves the compatibility problem, the LinkedGo R290 achieves this while maintaining impressive efficiency, thanks to two advanced technologies:

1. A+++ Energy Efficiency

The unit is certified A+++ Energy Efficiency Class at both 35℃ and 55℃ This is the highest possible rating, confirming that the unit is highly efficient across the temperature range most needed for home heating.

2. Full DC Inverter Technology

The Full DC Inverter allows the compressor to modulate its speed and power continuously. This means the unit can perfectly match the heat demand of the house, avoiding wasteful on/off cycling common in older systems. It runs in a "low and slow" state most of the time, only ramping up to the full 75℃ output when required by the coldest weather or the hot water cycle.

📈 COP: The Cost of Higher TemperaturesIt is important for homeowners to understand the trade-off inherent in all heat pump technology: Higher output temperature = Lower Coefficient of Performance (COP).

COP is the ratio of heat output to electricity consumed. A COP of 4.0 means 4kW of heat is generated for every 1kW of electricity used (400% efficiency).

For a typical GSHP, the COP will be highest at 35℃ flow (e.g., 4.5+).

When operating at a constant75℃, the COP will be significantly lower (potentially in the 2.0 to 2.5 range, depending on ground temperature).The key takeaway? The LinkedGo R290 offers the option of 75℃ to ensure a warm home without replacement radiators, but for maximum efficiency and lowest bills, you should still invest in insulation where possible.

3. R290 Refrigerant: The Future of HeatingThe use of the natural refrigerant R290 (Propane) is a major selling point. It has an ultra-low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just 3, making it the most environmentally responsible choice and completely future-proof against increasingly stringent environmental regulations (F-Gas regulations).

💡 Retrofit Strategy: Making the Switch SmoothlyFor homeowners looking to integrate the LinkedGo R290 with their existing radiators, the recommended strategy is simple:

Prioritise Insulation: Before installation, maximise loft insulation, cavity/external wall insulation, and draught-proofing. This lowers your home's heat demand.

Professional Survey: An accredited installer performs a heat loss calculation to determine the precise heat requirement for each room.

Smart Control Set-Up: The installer will utilise Weather Compensation—a smart control that automatically runs the heat pump at the lowest effective temperature (e.g., 50℃ on a mild day) and only ramps it up toward 75℃ on the coldest days. This ensures you maintain the highest possible COP for most of the year.

Targeted Upgrades: Only if a specific room’s radiator is severely undersized (e.g., a small bathroom or conservatory) would a targeted replacement with a modern, larger panel radiator or a fan-assisted radiator be needed.

The LinkedGo R290 successfully resolves the historical tension between heat pumps and radiators, offering a high-efficiency path to decarbonisation without requiring a total overhaul of your home's heating infrastructure.