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Worcester Bosch is calling on the Government to consider including hybrids in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, following an industry-first trial to prove hybrid heating technology is an effective solution to lower carbon heating for UK homes.
The joint research project between manufacturer Worcester Bosch and University of Salford took place at the latter’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.
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, enabling efficient heat delivery.
The findings from the trial show that a hybrid system can perform exceptionally well in typical UK homes, while still working towards the country’s net zero goals, as a weighted average of 94% of annual heat demand would come from the heat pump element.
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.”
For more information, access the hybrid trial whitepaper online.
