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Hybrid heat pumps unlock opportunities in home heat decarbonisation


Hybrid heat pump systems could play a bigger role in Europe’s heating transition, according to Blue Star, which partners with manufacturers on design and production of innovative heating products


but rising, driven by high electricity-to- gas price ratios and interest in phased heating upgrades. Blue Star notes that all these markets share a common challenge: large, ageing fossil-fuel boiler stocks and households unwilling or unable to commit to full electrifi cation in a single step.


Consumer economics are shifting the conversation


W


Hybrid systems can switch between heat pump and gas boiler when it is cheaper


hile all-electric heat pumps remain central to most national decarbonisation plans, the latest European Heat Pump Association


(EHPA) fi gures show that heat pump sales fell by around 5% to 10% across key European markets in 2023 and 2024.


High electricity prices, shifting incentive schemes and policy uncertainty have contributed to more cautious consumer behaviour. Hybrid heat pumps, which combine a heat pump with an existing gas or oil boiler and automatically select the most cost-effi cient energy source, are now gaining renewed interest as a lower-risk, lower-cost route for households to cut emissions.


A market segment already showing strong momentum


Although much smaller than the all-electric monobloc and split-type air-to-water heat pump market, hybrids are already signifi cant in several countries: ¡ The European hybrid heat pump market is estimated at around 90,000 units per year, concentrated in the Netherlands, Italy, France and Belgium. ¡ In the Netherlands, hybrids have at times accounted for up to half of annual heat pump sales, supported by long-running subsidy schemes. ¡ Italy has seen hybrids represent 30% to 40% of heat pump installations in recent incentive cycles. ¡ In France and Germany, hybrid uptake is smaller


26 March 2026


or cleaner to do so. As smart meter penetration increases across Europe and more suppliers roll out dynamic pricing, this fl exibility becomes increasingly valuable. Analysis by Blue Star suggests that hybrid


systems can typically allow the heat pump to meet around 60% to 80% of a household’s annual heating demand, reducing gas consumption while avoiding the expense and disruption of replacing emitters, pipework or hot-water systems. Modelling in UK studies shows that households using smart or agile tariff s could achieve running- cost reductions of more than 20% when hybrids intelligently switch between electricity and gas based on real-time pricing.


Hybrids unlock decarbonisation in hard-to-electrify homes


Countries with older residential building stock, including the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Italy and parts of Germany, face a long tail of homes where fabric improvements or full system upgrades are not immediately realistic. Hybrid heat pumps provide a way to achieve


carbon reductions today, particularly in properties with limited electrical capacity, high-temperature radiator circuits or space constraints. As electricity grids continue to decarbonise, the emissions benefi t of hybrids increases automatically, with the heat pump taking a greater share of the heat load over time.


A design and engineering opportunity for manufacturers


Hybridisation introduces a new wave of requirements for heating manufacturers: ¡ Compact, hybrid-ready heat pumps that can integrate with existing boilers and work across diverse European housing types. ¡ Advanced control systems capable of optimising between the heat pump and boiler based on cost, carbon intensity and outdoor conditions. ¡ Interoperability with smart meters, national pricing schemes and future energy-fl exibility markets. ¡ Modular system architecture, allowing households to move from hybrid to full heat pump operation as circumstances change. Blue Star notes that manufacturers already


active in this segment have secured a strong early position, showing that this is not a niche technology but one with commercial traction and consumer acceptance.


Blue Star: supporting hybrid- focused product development


Blue Star’s Custom Design Manufacturing service works with heating manufacturers across Europe to design and deliver hybrid-ready heat pump platforms, components and integrated systems. The company provides engineering support from early concept stages through to prototyping, testing and manufacturability optimisation. “Hybrid systems are not a compromise, they


are a practical tool for accelerating the transition while keeping consumers onside,” says Jason Tinsley, Vice President of Sales for Blue Star, which partners with HVAC manufacturers on product development. “Heat pumps remain the long-term solution,


but hybrids can unlock immediate emissions reductions and open new market opportunities for manufacturers. As more countries seek realistic routes to decarbonise heat, we expect hybrid- ready products to become a far bigger part of the portfolio.”


www.heatingandventilating.net


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