Hybrid Heating Technology Makes Practical Sense
John Lawton, Technical Product Manager at Intergas Heating Solutions, makes the case for hybrid heating systems.
For homeowners who want to decarbonise their homes, there’s really only one option: to take the heat pump route. In the UK, air source heat pumps are the most popular choice; they gather heat from the outside air which is absorbed into a fluid. This fluid then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump, which raises the temperature and then transfers that heat to water. This water then heats your rooms via radiators or underfloor heating.
More detail: What are heat pumps?
Heat pumps are highly efficient; in fact, they’re three times more efficient than a gas boiler, so for every unit of energy you put in, you get three units of heat out of a heat pump. When combined with a good standard of insulation, utility bills should be lower too.
The High Cost of Heat Pumps
The typical upfront cost of installing a heat pump is, according to the Energy Saving Trust, around £14,000, and the UK Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) contributes £7,500 towards the installation, but how many of us have a spare £6,500 to take care of the rest, given the current cost of living?
Then there’s the high cost of electricity to factor in – it’s called the ‘spark gap’, where electricity is often up to three times more expensive than gas. If the price of electricity could be brought into line with that of gas, this low-carbon technology would become much more appealing.
More detail: Air Source Heat Pump costs
Hybrid Heating Systems are More Practical
In the meantime, given that domestic heating accounts for 14% of UK carbon emissions, we all need to act, and hybrid systems are a practical and environmentally sound solution. As a hybrid system can often be retrofitted to the existing ErP combination boiler, you only have to install the air source heat pump (outdoor unit), combined with the controller (indoor unit) and a small pipework alteration at the boiler.
The beauty of this sustainable heating system is that you won’t have the cost of a boiler installation or a hot water cylinder (if you already have a compliant combi). Providing the radiators have been sized and flushed correctly, they won’t need to be replaced either; costs aside, the disruption to the household is vastly reduced.
Balancing Comfort and Emissions
But what about levels of comfort? Compared to traditional boiler systems that operate at around 70-80°C, heat pumps have a flow temperature of around 35-50°C. Providing you live in a well-insulated home then this shouldn’t be an issue, but as many of our homes don’t have great insulation, you’re going to feel the difference.
And this is where the hybrid heating system comes into its own – when the outside temperature drops below a predetermined set point, the boiler kicks in to supplement any additional system temperature required, so homeowners will always have heat and hot water where and when they want it.
The heat pump will probably be working for most of the year, which means the household will use less gas. We know from tests on our own hybrid system, Xtend, that you can cut gas consumption by up to 82.5%, which is impressive.
Are Hybrid Systems Eligible for Funding?
The cost-of-living crisis, which is when household incomes are not keeping up with living costs, is likely to continue into 2027, says the Institute for Government, when the country is expected to return to 2021 levels. So, right now, the most appealing low-carbon option for the homeowner is the hybrid heating system.
Hybrids become even more appealing if you live in Scotland, where Home Energy Scotland have grants similar to BUS, but with one major difference – hybrids are eligible. Homeowners can access a grant of £7,500 plus an optional loan of another £7,500. If you live in a rural area of Scotland, the grant’s £9,000 and the optional loan £7,500.
If BUS grants were available across the UK for hybrids, heat pump sales would increase significantly. And, later, when either a hydrogen or an all-electric boiler is installed, the hybrid system would become 100% green.
Intergas have taken matters into their own hands, with funded heating solutions for social housing, helping housing associations and social housing providers access sustainable options to lower both bills and carbon emissions for their customers.
A Hybrid Approach to Net Zero
There is no silver bullet when it comes to the decarbonisation of our homes. One size will never fit all, especially given the variation in the quality of insulation in our housing stock, but we have options, and there will probably be more as time and technology move on.
FAQs About Who Hybrid Heating Systems Work
What is a hybrid boiler system and how does it differ from a full heat pump?
They’re definitely the practical choice to lower CO2 emissions at home, but exactly what are hybrid heat pumps? A hybrid system integrates a new heat pump into an existing combi boiler system, giving homeowners carbon neutral heating year round, with a boiler for hot water and a heating boost on colder days.
When should a homeowner choose a hybrid system rather than a standalone heat pump?
There are plenty of reasons to choose a standalone heat pump, as they are certainly more efficient and sustainable than gas boilers in any case. But in a direct comparison of hybrid boiler vs heat pump, hybrids are more convenient, affordable and compact.
How can I upgrade my home heating with a heat pump or hybrid system after reviewing my existing boiler?
When discussing why homeowners should upgrade to a hybrid heating system, the next question is often how? If your existing boiler is compatible, you can contact an MCS-certified engineer to retrofit a heat pump into the system. This will involve some pipework adjustments but won’t be as invasive as installing a heat pump on its own.
What training or certification do installers need to correctly install hybrid boiler-heat pump systems?
Installers should be MCS-certified and trained in hybrid heat pump systems. As manufacturers of both heat pumps and hybrids, Intergas offers comprehensive hybrid installer training to make sure all our products are fitted correctly. That includes hybrid air source heat pump training and boiler installation courses.
Are hybrid systems eligible for any government grants or incentives?
Grants for hybrid systems are only available for properties in Scotland, through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme. For other grant funding for heat pumps, explore our heat pump government grant guide.
