Home heating is one of the biggest contributing factors to the UK’s carbon emissions and replacing gas boilers with more environmentally friendly alternatives has been identified as essential to meeting the Government’s target of reaching net zero.
As part of this push, gas boilers in new build properties are set to be banned in the UK from 2025.
Heat pumps are currently the most effective renewable technology for generating home heat.
Air-source heat pumps work by taking in air from outside your home, harnessing the heat energy within and using it to heat your radiators and the hot water used in your shower, taps etc.
For many people, installing an air-source heat pump will provide them with all the heat energy that they require, and they will be able to remove their gas boiler completely as a result.
For others, however, demand may exceed supply at certain points. This is more likely to be the case in large remote properties with a high heat demand.
In these situations, hybrid heating is a fantastic option.
This involves installing a heat pump alongside another heating source, usually a gas boiler so that you always have all the heat that you could possibly need.
Hybrid solutions offer a great way to make your home much more energy efficient, dramatically reduce your carbon footprint, and save money on your energy bills, without having to compromise comfort or even leave yourself short when it comes to heat in the winter months.
When is hybrid heating useful?
In the summer, those with a hybrid heating system will usually find that they have no need for their boiler at all.
An air source heat pump will normally be able to more than meet your property’s hot water and heating needs at these times and achieve maximum energy efficiency levels as high as 400%.
As temperatures fall, in the winter months especially, however, demand for heat will rise and more energy will be required to keep your property at a comfortable temperature.
This is when retaining your gas boiler will prove to have been a wise decision, taking over your heat production until demand falls once more.
Gas boilers operate better in cold temperatures than heat pumps and you may find that it is more energy efficient for your boiler to take over at these times even if your heat pump could meet your energy needs.
Do not worry about having to calculate the perfect time to switch between your two units for maximum efficiency, modern hybrid systems are designed to do just that on your behalf and can be programmed specifically to the bespoke needs of your property.
Are there Government grants for hybrid heat pump installation?
Given the Governments pledges to meet carbon emissions goals, it is disappointing to find that there are currently no grants available to homeowners to assist with the installation of hybrid heat pump systems.
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which once entitled those installing any renewable heating system to up to 7 years of cash payments from the Government, ceased funding in March 2022.
Its replacement, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers grants of up to £6000 to those looking to replace their boiler with a low-carbon alternative that can be used for air source heat pump installation.
However, BUS only applies to those looking to replace 100% of their home heating system and does not, therefore, apply to hybrid heating systems.
How much do hybrid heat pumps cost?
A hybrid heating system will cost you somewhere in the region of £5,000-£10,000.
Whilst this is more than the cost of replacing a gas boiler (usually around £4,000), a heating system is a long-term investment, and you really need to look at the costs over a period of years to make an informed decision.
You will make significant savings on your monthly energy bills by switching to a hybrid system and these savings may well exceed the installation costs over a matter of years.
Furthermore, by reducing the workload of your boiler you will extend its life, and reduce the chances of repairs or replacement being required.
Disadvantages of a hybrid heat pump
For many, a hybrid heat pump is the ideal solution to their heating needs providing a great balance between efficiency and affordability whilst also helping them do their bit to reduce their carbon footprint.
It is not suited to everyone, however, and here are some of the potential downsides to consider before making your decision:
- Hybrid systems are not completely emission free
- Heat pumps are more expensive to install than a standard boiler
- You need outdoor space to install an air source heat pump
- There will be a small amount of noise made by your pump whilst operational (similar in volume to a standard refrigerator)