UK's Trusted Heat Pump Installer 
Excellent 
Simply put, a hybrid heat pump system combines a heat pump with a traditional boiler. The system smartly switches between the heat pump and boiler to ensure you get the most efficient heating possible all year round.
Ultimately, hybrid heat pumps are great because they have the potential to lower your heating bills while making your home more energy-efficient. However, hybrid systems are only recommended in specific situations, rather than simply replacing your boiler with a standalone heat pump.
Our article is here to help you decide if a hybrid heat pump is the right choice for your home. We’ll also break down exactly how hybrid systems work, what they cost and whether you can take advantage of any government grants.
Want to jump ahead? Simply fill out the form below to get a free, no-obligation quote for an air source heat pump:
Hybrid heat pumps are innovative heating systems that combine two technologies, a heat pump and a traditional gas, LPG or oil boiler.
For example, an air source heat pump works by extracting heat from the outside air, even in cold temperatures, and using it to warm your home. The boiler then steps in to provide extra heat when it's needed, such as on especially cold days or when you need hot water quickly. By working together, the two systems ensure your home is always comfortable, no matter what the weather is doing outside.
What sets hybrid heat pumps apart is their ability to switch automatically between the heat pump and the boiler, depending on which option is most efficient at the time. In milder weather, the air source heat pump does most of the work, using renewable energy from the air to heat your home inexpensively and with a lower carbon footprint.
When temperatures drop and your heating needs increase, the conventional boiler kicks in to make sure you stay warm without putting extra strain on the heat pump. This intelligent control means you’re always getting the most efficient and cost-effective heating.
For you, the main advantage of a hybrid heat pump is flexibility. Unlike a standalone boiler or just a heat pump, a hybrid system always uses the best available energy source for your comfort. It can also be paired with solar panels, allowing you to use solar power to run the heat pump, potentially saving even more on your energy bills and further reducing your environmental impact.
If you’re unable to install a standalone heat pump, a reputable heat pump installer like Glow Green will usually recommend a hybrid heat pump for two main reasons:
Your home requires a lot of heating power meaning it needs more warmth than a standard heat pump can comfortably provide, especially during extremely cold winter months.
Your current heating setup makes switching to just a heat pump less cost-effective so replacing everything with a standalone heat pump wouldn’t actually save you money on your energy bills.
While hybrid heat pumps offer valuable advantages (more on this later), they’re really designed for specific households with particular needs.
If your home is well-suited to it, investing in a standalone air source heat pump is often the ideal route for maximum energy savings and lower carbon emissions.
Hybrid heat pumps offer several key benefits that make them an appealing choice if you want reliable heating and lower carbon emissions in your home:
Hybrid heat pumps cleverly switch between your air source heat pump and traditional boiler, always using the most efficient option for your needs. On milder days, the heat pump handles most of your heating, helping you save on energy costs. When it gets really cold, your boiler takes over, so you never have to worry about comfort or higher fuel use.
You get the best of both worlds with consistent heating, no matter the weather. The heat pump keeps your home warm for most of the year, while the boiler provides extra power when you need it most, like during freezing spells or high hot water demand.
By leaning on the heat pump for most of your heating, you’ll use less gas or oil, meaning you’ll likely lower your home’s carbon emissions. This is especially important if you’re looking to make your property greener, as the hybrid system lets you take advantage of renewable energy whenever possible.
If you live in a home that’s hard to insulate or needs a lot of heating power, a hybrid heat pump means you don’t have to completely overhaul your current setup. It lets you benefit from heat pump technology without the big changes (and potential costs) of switching to a heat pump-only system.
Since your heat pump and boiler share the workload, neither system gets overworked. This can extend the lifespan of both units, so your investment lasts longer and you enjoy fewer maintenance worries over time.
As more government policies encourage cleaner energy and phase out traditional boilers, a hybrid heat pump system helps you prepare for the future. It’s a smart step towards a greener home that could potentially add value to your property in the long run.
Related Reading: Pros & Cons of Air Source Heat Pumps
While hybrid heat pumps can be a great solution for some homes, there are also a few drawbacks you should consider before making a decision:
Hybrid heat pumps cost more to install than a boiler because you’re combining two technologies. If you’re starting from scratch or upgrading both systems, that initial investment can be significant.
Even though a hybrid heat pump reduces your reliance on fossil fuels, it doesn’t eliminate them entirely. Your system will still need to use your gas or oil boiler during periods of peak demand or extremely cold weather, so you won’t achieve the same level of carbon reduction as a standalone heat pump system.
Depending on your home and the current difference between gas and electricity prices, installing a hybrid system may not actually reduce your energy costs compared to keeping your existing setup. If your property isn’t well-suited to a heat pump, the hybrid may just offer a small efficiency improvement, so it’s important to work with an installer who can advise you based on your specific circumstances.
Fitting a hybrid heat pump may require adjustments to your existing central heating system, such as changes to pipework, new radiators or space for the heat pump unit outdoors. This can result in some disruption or extra modifications for your home, especially if it’s older or has limited outside space.
Not all government heat pump grants or incentives for low-carbon heating cover hybrid heat pumps. In some areas, you may not qualify for financial support if you go hybrid, compared to installing a standalone heat pump which is more widely incentivised.
According to Checkatrade, you can expect a hybrid heat pump system to cost around £16,000. This covers the typical installation of an air source heat pump alongside a new boiler, which is the most common setup for most homes in the UK. However, depending on your property and needs, it’s possible that the total cost could be even higher.
If your home requires extra upgrades, such as new radiators, pipework, flooring or improved insulation, the overall price can climb significantly, sometimes costing upwards of £30,000 for a full retrofit. The good news is that every property is different, and the exact amount you’ll pay really depends on your current heating system, the size and layout of your home, and the extent of the upgrades needed.
Related Reading: Cost of an Air Source Heat Pump
At the moment, you can’t get a government grant to help pay for a hybrid heat pump system. Heat pump grants are only available if you install a full air source, ground source or water source heat pump, or in some cases, a biomass boiler.
That’s why, if your home is suitable, we always recommend going for a standalone air source heat pump system rather than a hybrid one, so you can benefit from grants such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (a fantastic government initiative that gives homeowners up to £7,500 towards the cost of installing a new air source heat pump).
At Glow Green, we’re always here to help you find out if your home is suitable for an air source heat pump, so you can take full advantage of available government grants.
A hybrid heat pump is worth considering in two main scenarios. First, if your home needs a lot of heating power that a standalone heat pump might struggle to provide efficiently, a hybrid system can give you the extra boost you need by combining a heat pump with a traditional boiler.
Second, if your current heating setup means switching completely to a heat pump wouldn’t save you much money on energy bills, a hybrid system can offer a smarter, more cost-effective solution by using the best of both heating options.
That said, if your home is suitable, we usually recommend going for a standalone air source heat pump instead. This is because a full heat pump system uses renewable energy to provide heating and hot water, which can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. It also often qualifies for government grants like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which can lower the upfront cost and make the switch more affordable for you.
A standalone air source heat pump is also worth it because it can offer long-term savings on your energy bills and contribute to a greener home. While the initial investment might feel high, the benefits over time include lower running costs, less reliance on fossil fuels and future-proofing your home as the UK moves toward cleaner heating solutions.
Recommended Reading: Is an Air Source Heat Pump Worth It?
A hybrid heat pump system combines an air source heat pump with a traditional gas, LPG or oil boiler. Your system automatically switches between the two, always using the most efficient option to heat your home.
Hybrid heat pumps are ideal if your home requires a lot of heating power or if replacing your current system with a standalone heat pump wouldn’t lower your energy bills enough to justify the switch.
Currently, you can’t get a government grant for a hybrid heat pump system. Grants like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme are only available for standalone air source heat pump installations.
Yes, by relying on the heat pump for much of the year, you’ll use less gas or oil, reducing your home’s carbon footprint and supporting more sustainable heating.
If your home is suitable, a standalone air source heat pump is usually the best option for long-term savings, grant eligibility and the greatest environmental benefits. However, a hybrid system is a smart alternative for homes with high heating demands or challenging heating setups.
