‘At heart it’s the same technology’: the heat pump that uses water instead of air

The pipe end which draws sea water from the Firth of Forth with the Queensferry Crossing bridge in the background. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

Scientists in Edinburgh have developed a home heating system that draws its energy from the world’s most abundant resource: water.

The equipment can use sea water, rivers, ponds and even mine water to heat radiators and water for baths and showers, using the same technology as in air source heat pumps.