A new trial has demonstrated how hybrid heat systems can heat homes in the UK while still working towards the country’s net zero goals. Hybrid systems bring together a gas boiler and Heat Pump to provide heating for a home.
The joint research project between manufacturer Worcester Bosch and University of Salford found that a weighted average of 94% of annual heat demand could come from the heat pump element of a hybrid system.
The research took place at the University of Salford’s Energy House Lab – a full-scale reconstruction of a pre-1920 end-terrace home commonly found across the UK, that could simulate different outdoor temperatures ranging from -3°C to 16°C.
Based on the analysed data from the trial, a hybrid heat pump has the potential to*:
– Deliver a weighted average of 94% of the total annual heat demand from the heat pump element
– See the heat pump handle 100% of the heating requirements when outdoor temperature is 7°C or above, and when at coldest (-3°C) contribute above 70% of the total space heating
– Reduce 1,270kg of CO2 compared to a boiler-only saving, approximately 77% of the carbon savings of a full heat pump
The trial involved a ‘bivalent parallel system’ – where a heat pump and boiler run in parallel via a smart ‘hybrid manager’. The heat pump acts as the primary heat source, with the boiler only adding supplementary heat to meet demand when the outdoor temperature drops.
Benefits of the solution are said to be:
– Savings of £79 on annual energy bills compared to a standalone gas fired boiler**
– Improve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of the property from Band D to C, a key government target***
– Provide a more cost-effective route to lower carbon heating, delivering 1.5x the present carbon savings per pound of public spending****
Worcester Bosch believes the findings present strong evidence that hybrid heat systems should be considered in government initiatives that encourage increased uptake of lower-carbon technologies.
Carl Arntzen, CEO of Worcester Bosch, said; “Lowering the carbon emissions of the UK’s homes is a shared goal that requires a range of effective and accessible solutions. The findings from our work with the University of Salford are clear: bivalent parallel hybrid heat pumps are a practical and highly effective technology for the UK today.
“We believe government recognition and financial support for hybrid heat pumps, such as including this proven technology in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), presents an opportunity to make the transition to lower carbon heating faster, fairer and more effective. It offers a practical and accessible stepping-stone on the journey to net zero for millions of households.”
[IMAGE: Worcester Bosch]
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* Data available here: https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/hybrid-heat-pumps-win
** Analysis conducted based on Cosy Octopus Tariffs (Oct. 2025). Assumed unit from Octopus: (gas: 6.29 p/kWh), Time of Use Electricity Tariff based on Cosy Octopus (weighted average: 21.07p/kWh). Average boiler efficiency: 85%
*** Analysis conducted with RdSAP 9.94
**** Assumed CO2 emissions per usage of kWh of electricity (0.207 kg CO2e/kWh) and gas (0.183 kg CO2e/kWh).
