HEAT PUMP GUIDE
Harnessing the power of hybrids
There are over 27 million existing homes in the UK, and new builds add approximately 1% to this every year. Alpha’s national renewables manager Dan Wilden explains why fitting this existing housing stock with hybrid heating technology is key in helping the nation on its journey toward Net Zero by 2050
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n the UK, approximately 70% of boiler purchases and new installs are deemed distress purchases, something installers will know well. Rather than
a conscious and planned decision, homeowners tend to only replace their boiler when it becomes an essential need and so will likely replace like-for-like instead of exploring alternative heating technologies and options. In research conducted by Alpha this year, it was
found that 74% of people care about the carbon footprint of their home. This means that they will likely have considered the benefits of alternative heating technology to some level. This audience are those who could be swayed to heat pump technology but will be unlikely to be able to do this in an emergency boiler replacement.
It’s understandable that when in a time of crisis or boiler breakdown, homeowners will look for a quick fix and will likely stay with what they know, often resulting in them having another combi boiler fitted in replacement. It is here that installers need to guide homeowners to other more sustainable
Left: Dan Wilden, Aplha’s national renewables manager
options that will benefit them as time goes on. If another gas boiler is fitted, there will be no
carbon reduction in that property for the entire lifespan of that new boiler which can be up to 15 years. Homeowners may think that the only other option for them is a heat pump due to the extensive media coverage of the product but will be unlikely to choose this as their quick-fix replacement. As installers will know, for a heat pump to work at maximum efficiency most existing homes would require upgrades to radiators, pipes and insulation. These modifications will add time to the install process that needs to be speedier if the home is without hot water or heating in a time this has not been planned for. This is where hybrid technology comes in.
Hybrids allow homeowners to still be able to switch to a more sustainable option that will lead to cost saving and carbon reduction for the next decade or more in their home without having to deal with the added disruption of a heat pump install. Hybrid technology works to combine heat pump technology with a traditional gas boiler which can have hot water and heating reinstated instantly for the customer. Alpha’s hybrid system runs off the existing pipework so no big changes need to be made to the home. Working to be as efficient as possible, the system cleverly combines live energy prices with the outdoor temperature to choose the most efficient combination to heat the home. Installers can also reassure homeowners that due to the inclusion of a gas boiler; hot water is still available on demand. Recommending a hybrid approach, rather than heat pump only offers homeowners a transitional step to renewable energy at a lower cost. Homeowners are also then able to, in the future, begin to utilise the heat pump more and see the sustainability of their home increase even further when they adjust to a low temperature system. For those installers interested in upskilling,
Alpha offers hybrid training in several locations nationwide. The one-day Boilers and Hybrid Heat Pump Training covers all installers need to be confident in installing our current range of boilers, including the hybrid solution. Those on the course can expect a mix of theory and hands-on practical training.
30 November 2024
www.heatingandventilating.net
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