DOMESTIC HEATING
www.heatingandventilating.net Despite these advantages, hybrid systems
remain under supported in UK policy. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), for example, currently excludes hybrid solutions, offering support only for standalone heat pumps and biomass boilers. If the UK is to accelerate the transition to low-carbon heating, it must take a more flexible approach by recognising hybrid heating systems as legitimate solution.
Flexibility is key
Duncan Carter, corporate affairs manager at Calor explains why flexibility is the missing link in Britain’s heating transition
T
he UK’s heating decarbonisation strategy has, to date, leaned heavily on electrification. Heat pumps, particularly air-source models, are an important solution for low carbon heating. The UK Government’s £13.2 billion Warm Homes Plan has been hailed as a transformative step toward improving energy efficiency and cutting carbon emissions .
But while this approach may be appropriate for
many domestic properties, it is far from universally applicable, especially in larger, poorly insulated properties with local electricity network constraints. In the domestic market, heat pumps have shown
promise in well-insulated, grid-connected homes. Off-grid homes – which account for approximately two million households across the United Kingdom - older housing stock and properties with limited space or low thermal efficiency often require significant retrofit work to make electrification viable. These barriers are magnified in non- domestic settings, where heating loads are higher, operational requirements more varied and grid capacity increasingly constrained. According to research from the Aldersgate Group and UKERC, 42% of large industrial sites could experience grid constraints by 2030, increasing to 77% by 2050 , without significant investment in infrastructure. This makes a singular focus on electrification not only impractical but potentially counterproductive.
The case for flexible choices
Hybrid heating systems, which typically combine an air-source heat pump with a gas or LPG boiler, offer a pragmatic alternative. In domestic settings, hybrids can provide a lower-carbon pathway for homes that cannot affordably be made heat pump- ready. In commercial and industrial buildings, they offer the high-temperature output and operational flexibility required for process heating, space conditioning and hot water generation, without overloading the grid. For installers, hybrid systems offer flexibility, reliability and scalability – but UK policy continues to overlook their potential. LPG has long been a readily available energy
source for off-grid locations. It offers instant heat and hot water, and integrates seamlessly with existing wet heating systems, Aga cookers and hot water cylinders. As a transitional fuel, it provides continuity today while enabling a smoother shift to renewable alternatives such as BioLPG in the future. BioLPG can further enhance carbon reduction efforts, offering up to 80% fewer emissions compared to conventional LPG – making it a sustainable solution while maintaining compatibility with all existing LPG appliances. Installers can position BioLPG as a future-proof heating option, enabling homeowners to cut emissions without the disruption and high costs associated with full electrification.
Supporting this transition is essential to meeting national and international climate targets. Heating is one of the largest sources of domestic carbon emissions and reducing its impact will be key to achieving net zero. The EU’s Fit for 55 package, which aims to cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, further highlights the importance of aligning policy with broader environmental goals. Expanding support to a wider range of low-carbon technologies, including hybrid systems – can help ensure progress is both ambitious and achievable.
A smarter path forward
Decarbonising heat across both domestic and non- domestic buildings requires a more nuanced and inclusive approach. UK energy policy must broaden its lens and recognise that electrification is not always a suitable approach. Over the past three decades, heating policy has
undergone significant shifts. In the 1990s, the widespread adoption of natural gas boilers as part of a central heating system were promoted as a cleaner and superior heating solution to coal, and by the 2000s, building regulations increasingly focused on insultation and boiler efficiency standards. More recently, the emphasis has moved toward electrification through heat pumps and the phasing out of fossil fuel systems in new builds. As this transition accelerates, it is important that policy recognises the limitations of a one-size-fits- all approach, particularly for buildings where electrification may prove financially or technically out of reach. Installers need support to offer a wider range of solutions able to address real constraints. This means expanding the BUS to include hybrid systems, supporting the adoption of BioLPG and investing in electricity grid upgrades to ensuring the future viability of electric heating technologies. More broadly, it requires a shift in mindset – from a centralised, top-down planning to a more flexible, industry-informed approach that recognises regional variation, technical limitations and consumer preferences. The future of heating must be smart, flexible
and grounded in engineering reality. By broadening the policy toolkit and embracing hybrid heating solutions, the UK can deliver a more resilient, cost- effective and inclusive transition.
1
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/up-to-170000-homes-to-get-energy-saving-upgrades 2
https://www.liquidgasuk.org/domestic/new-to-lpg 3
https://www.aldersgategroup.org.uk/publications/post/uk-industry-will-face-network-constraints-without-investment-in-critical-electricity-infrastructure/ 4 calor-emission-factor-april-2024.pdf
34 November 2025
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