Dataset Overview
This dataset estimates the suitability of domestic properties for the installation of a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP), which extracts heat from the ground using buried pipes (a "ground loop") to provide space heating.
Each property is assessed using its building type, back garden size, and peak heating demand. A property is deemed suitable if its back garden is large enough to accommodate a horizontal ground loop system for the building's heating needs. Properties that are unsuitable are given a reason explaining why, which you can find in the data field titled 'Remark'.
Figure 1: Green shows a building suitable for GSHP installation, grey is unsuitable.
Methodology
Building data is extracted from OS NGD Building and OS NGD Address to determine building topography and type information. This is combined with land data extracted from OS NGD Land.
The building and land data is combined to calculate the garden size for each property. Road network data from OS NGD Highways is then used to identify the front of the property and separate the garden into front and back areas. The back garden area is used to assess GSHP suitability, as horizontal ground loops are typically installed at the rear of domestic properties.
A property is suitable for GSHP when:
The building's usage type is suitable (based on its OS AddressBase classification). For more details see ‘Excluded Classification Codes’ below.
The back garden is large enough to support the required ground loop, calculated as 50 m² of back garden per kW of peak heating demand.
Where a building contains multiple properties (e.g. a block of flats), GSHP suitability is assessed at the building footprint level, since the ground loop serves the whole building. Suitability is assigned to the Shell record where one exists. If no shell exists, it is assigned to the Parent UPRN. If no Parent UPRN exists, it is assigned to the Child UPRN.
The recommended heat pump size is derived from the peak heating demand of the property (see the Domestic Heat Demand article for how this is calculated), with a minimum size of 3 kW.
Excluded Classification Codes:
Within the Residential classification, the following property types are excluded from the suitability assessment as they do not have a conventional building footprint and garden arrangement:
RB Ancillary Building (e.g. outbuildings, sheds)
RC Car Park Space / Allocated Parking
RD07 House Boat
RG Garage / Lock-Up Garage
All non-residential classifications (Commercial, Land, Military, etc.) are also excluded as this dataset covers domestic properties only.
Assumptions
A horizontal ground loop requires approximately 50 m² of ground per kW of peak heating demand. This is a conservative planning-level estimate for typical UK soil conditions.
Only the back garden area is considered for the ground loop. Front gardens are excluded on the basis that ground loops are typically installed at the rear of the property.
Land parcels larger than 15,000 m² are excluded to remove anomalous data (e.g. farmland or common land incorrectly linked to individual properties).
Sources
Fields
Field Name | Field Description |
UPRN | Unique Property Reference Number |
Parent UPRN | Unique Property Reference Number immediately above in the building hierarchy |
Overall Suitability Rating | The overall suitability of the property for an air source heat pump |
Remark | Supporting note on suitability or constraints. |
Recommended Heat Pump Size [kW] | The recommended heat pump size for the property. |
Peak Heat Pump Demand (kWp) | The modelled peak building heat demand of the property. |
Building Size (m^2) | The area of the building within the land parcel. |
Total Garden Area (m^2) | The total area of the garden within the land parcel. |
Type | UPRN Type Parent, Child or Shell. |