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HYBRIDS & ALTERNATIVE HEATING SOLUTIONS


Just warming up: The state of hybrid heating demand in the UK


In the first two months of 2025, we saw a marked increase in gas boiler sales compared to the same two months of the previous two years. There was always some confusion over how previous sales numbers could drop so significantly without the shortfall being made up by heat pumps. Martyn Bridges, director of governmental and external affairs at Worcester Bosch investigates


T


he gap suggested that 200,000 to 300,000 boilers had been lost from the market. But according to the Heat Pump Association,


around 100,000 in 2024. While buoyant, heat pump sales didn’t close the gap entirely, where have the normal sales volumes of boilers gone? We have noticed an increased interest in hybrid


systems, which might explain the uptick in boiler sales. Here’s my take on the future of hybrid heating in the UK.


Consumer interest in hybrids is rising


A boost in hybrid installations suggests that certain installers and homeowners are favouring hybrid systems over full heat pumps. They each have their benefits, presumably


however the government would prefer everyone swaps their boiler to a full heat pump given the strides made towards decarbonising electricity generation in the UK. Practically, however, higher costs and complex


installations sometimes make heat pumps a difficult sale – particularly when we have some 16 to 17 million homes with a combi boiler instead.


There’s limited funding for hybrid systems


For many European countries, hybrids are the first choice of heating product – but that isn’t the case in the UK. In fact, while the government has acknowledged that hybrids are an option, they do not include them in any mainstream funding initiative for domestic heating, such as the boiler upgrade scheme (BUS). Funding is available for social housing


installations, but the criteria states that the existing A-rated boiler must remain, and support is only awarded for the heat pump element of the installation. As you can imagine, this isn’t the typical scenario for social housing providers, most of the time, the boiler needs replacing as well.


Hybrids can support decarbonisation


The government doesn’t believe that hybrid systems are ambitious enough to meet the aim of 100% decarbonising domestic heating in the UK. But I’ve


Above: Martyn Bridges, director of governmental and external affairs at Worcester Bosch


always maintained that it’s better to decarbonise millions of homes by 70 - 80% than to decarbonise thousands of homes by 100%. In a hybrid system with a Combi, the combi boiler


generates the hot water required and contributes to the heating system when it’s particularly cold. However, many of our trials have suggested the contribution is small. In one trial, the boiler only came into operation to support heating for 10% of the entire year. Not only does this virtually decarbonise the


property’s heating, but it also reduces pressure on the grid. As electric cars and heat pumps become more common, a large investment is needed to support electricity generation. Using a combination of gas, oil, and electricity can reduce the funding needed to strengthen the grid.


Homeowners have heat pump installation concerns


Hybrids can also be more appealing to homeowners from an installation perspective. Installing a hybrid system is typically less disruptive, requiring fewer changes to the existing heating system than a full heat pump, which demands pipework upgrades and storage space for the cylinder and hydraulics. Hybrid systems are also less sensitive to system


performance. It’s well documented that heat pump output can be dramatically affected by the flow rate and balancing of the system, with variables like radiator and pipe sizing affecting performance. Without sufficient fine-tuning, efficiencies aren’t


always achieved, and homeowners may experience larger bills than anticipated.


Hybrids could take a major market share


In time, the government may have to recognise the potential of hybrid systems. By 2028, it aims to have reached 600,000 annual heat pump installations – but last year, just 98,000 were sold. A leap of that scale is unlikely. We are optimistic that when a review of the BUS


takes place this spring, alternative technologies will be seriously appraised and perhaps included. Hybrids could play a large role in decarbonisation and are often the more appealing option for homeowners too. Whilst hybrids are showing small amounts of


growth now, I strongly feel that they are likely to rival – and even overtake – the installation volumes of full heat pump systems as the years progress. It will be interesting to see how the government responds – perhaps hybrids will finally be taken off the back burner.


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