Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Feature


Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning 25


A practical pathway to decarbonisation


Intergas Heating’s Stewart Thompson discusses how hybrid heat pump solutions can off er a “pragmatic and practical” way to cut emissions, while working within building fabric constraints.


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cross the UK, social housing providers are working toward ambitious carbon-reduction targets. Yet many face the complex reality of ageing housing stock, varied building fabric, and limited budgets.


Decarbonising domestic heating is one of the sector’s most signifi cant


challenges. While installing standalone heat pumps is becoming legislated in new homes, we would always advocate a fabric fi rst approach to reduce heat losses and reduce the heat pump output on any retrofi t scheme. For landlords with large and diverse portfolios, the upgrade path is rarely linear. T is is where hybrid systems, pairing a heat pump with an existing boiler, can help bridge the gap. Hybrid heating allows providers to reduce emissions without immediately


undertaking extensive and expensive fabric improvement works. In properties where heat loss remains relatively high, a hybrid system uses the boiler only when necessary, with the heat pump delivering the majority of annual heat demand. T is approach reduces carbon while maintaining occupant comfort and managing operational risks for asset managers. Practical constraints, such as radiator size, water storage space, property


layout, or customer vulnerability, can aff ect whether a full heat pump installation is immediately feasible. Hybrid solutions off er a responsive alternative that maximises renewable input while respecting these real-world


limitations. For organisations bound by regulatory targets but managing limited capital budgets, phasing upgrades in this way can stabilise costs over time while still reducing emissions year-on-year. For providers working toward EPC improvement requirements or preparing


for future PAS standards, hybrid systems can also off er a route to signifi cant carbon savings without the need for disruptive internal works. In many cases, only modest changes, such as external unit siting and system controls integration, are required, minimising disruption for customers. T is reduced intrusiveness is especially relevant for vulnerable residents, where large-scale refurbishment can be challenging to deliver. A further advantage for landlords is fl exibility. Hybrid systems allow heat


pumps to be deployed into properties earlier in investment cycles. As building fabric improvements become feasible, through routine maintenance, void turnover, or planned capital programmes, homes can later transition to full heat-pump operation. T is staged approach helps housing providers build organisational skills and supply-chain familiarity at a manageable pace. T e ability to spread costs and reduce installation complexity is particularly signifi cant for harder-to-treat properties. Homes built in periods of varying construction standards may not present a uniform upgrade path, meaning a complete portfolio wide switch to full heat pumps may not be achievable in


Housing Management & Maintenance Summer 2026


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