A hybrid heating system combines a traditional gas or oil boiler with a renewable heating system such as a heat pump. Hybrid systems are the latest development in the heating industry as a way to reduce our dependency on oil, coal, LPG, and gas. This system has a boiler and a heat pump to deliver an efficient and cost-effective heating system all year round.
How does it work?
An air source or ground source heat pump extracts heat from the air outside your home and uses it to heat your home and produce hot water. It works more efficiently during the summer. A boiler is cheapest to run during winter or in cold weather. The biggest advantage of the hybrid heating system is that it will monitor the temperature outside and automatically choose the most energy-efficient option.
Why hybrid heating systems?
Heat pumps run on electricity, thus they do not impact the environment. The heat that they extract and use is continually being renewed naturally. Hybrid heating systems contribute to a greener environment. There are two types of heat pumps that can be integrated into this system:
• Ground source heat pumps
• Air source heat pumps
Ground source heat pumps extract heat from the ground and transfer it to the heat exchanger. On the other hand, air source heat pump is a fan unit which is installed outside the home where it extracts heat from the outside air. Many air source heat pumps are simpler to install, less costly, and can also act in reverse. This means that they can be used as an air conditioner as well as a heater.
Benefits of hybrid heating systems
The main benefits of hybrid heating systems are:
• Better energy Efficiency – the system is designed to automatically switch between heat pumps and boiler.
• Lower heating bills – as it runs on free energy from the air or the ground, costs is quite low.
• Reduced carbon footprint – since the system does not make use of fossil fuels like gas, oil, or coal, there is less carbon that are emitted and transferred into the atmosphere.
• Reliable all year round – the system can adjust its temperatures accordingly and can act as both an air conditioner and a heater.
• Long-lasting – the average life expectancy for a boiler is 10-15 years.
These are some reasons why hybrid heating systems are the smart choice to make.
