In a bid to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions, replacing gas boilers with appliances that run on electricity is recommended by UK government advisers. However, the cost involved in a complete shift to electric heating may be prohibitive for many homeowners. In such cases, a partial shift to hybrid heating systems can provide a viable solution. By combining two or more technologies, such as a gas boiler and an electric heat pump, hybrid heating systems can significantly decrease energy bills and household emissions. While the ultimate goal is to phase out gas and oil heating, hybrid systems offer a practical and effective interim solution.
Gas boilers currently account for 92% of home heating in the UK and contribute to a significant portion of the country’s carbon emissions. On average, a gas boiler emits approximately 2.2 tons of CO₂ per year. However, the UK government plans to ban the sale of new gas boilers from 2035. In contrast, electric heat pumps, which extract heat from the air or ground and transfer it to water that circulates through radiators, are gaining popularity through government grants. These heat pumps are highly efficient, particularly when powered by renewable energy sources like wind or solar power, and can substantially reduce household emissions.
Hybrid heating systems offer several advantages, including a reduced carbon footprint, lower energy bills, increased energy efficiency, and enhanced property value. The Netherlands has already announced that from 2026, hybrid heating systems will become the standard replacement for gas heating. Germany, on the other hand, is favoring a more gradual shift from oil and gas to hybrid heating systems.
Despite the benefits, the installation of heat pumps can be challenging and expensive, especially in older houses. Heat pumps generate heat at a lower temperature compared to gas boilers, necessitating the use of larger radiators or underfloor heating to achieve the same level of efficiency, particularly in poorly insulated homes. These complex renovations can deter homeowners and hinder the widespread adoption of low-carbon heating.
However, even in such cases, installing a heat pump alongside a gas boiler as a backup for extremely cold days can still result in a significant reduction in household emissions while maintaining the desired level of heating. This approach offers homeowners time to save up for additional renovations needed for a complete transition to an all-electric system.
A recent study found that a hybrid heating system comprising an air-source heat pump and a condensing gas boiler reduced greenhouse gas emissions from heating by 30% in a typical UK household. Hybrid heat pumps require less extensive remedial work as they can utilize existing boilers and radiators. Moreover, investing in insulation, such as cavity-wall insulation, can enhance heat retention and reduce energy consumption, making it essential for heating a property with a heat pump alone. Another study showed that a hybrid heat pump system, when combined with energy-efficiency measures, consumed approximately 70% less energy than an oil boiler, similar to that of a standalone heat pump.
In terms of operating costs, a case study in Ireland revealed that hybrid heat pumps have 7% lower annual costs than gas boilers alone and 23% lower costs than standalone electric heat pumps. This disparity is due to the fluctuating energy prices and the comparative expense of electricity.
While the ultimate objective remains insulating homes and replacing gas heating systems with electric alternatives, installing a hybrid heating system can offer immediate benefits in terms of reduced bills and emissions, particularly when government support for heating upgrades falls short.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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