Heating

Advice on boilers, radiators, central heating systems and keeping your home warm and energy efficient.

Heating 101 - Hybrid Boilers

2nd October 2020

As we are all doing our best to reduce our carbon footprint, many people are considering what they can do in their homes to reduce carbon emissions and save money. Installing a more energy efficient boiler is one sure fire way to reduce that carbon footprint. But choosing the right one that doesn’t cost a fortune can be a challenge. Hybrid boilers are a new technology that offer a good first step into a lifestyle of reduced carbon emissions.

What is a hybrid boiler?

A hybrid boiler is a combination of a traditional boiler and a renewable source heat pump. It uses an intelligent system that keeps track of the temperature and assesses the most cost-effective and energy-efficient way of heating your home and providing hot water. Where possible, a hybrid boiler will use its heat pump, which extracts warmth from the air or ground. An air or ground heat source pump can get heat energy even at very low temperatures, but if they can’t get the energy they need, your fossil fuels will kick in.

Why invest in a hybrid boiler?

Because a hybrid boiler uses a renewable resource with a fossil-fuel back up, it is a great way to go green, without compromising on your own comfort; you will never be without heating and hot water. What’s more, a hybrid boiler uses two different methods for producing heat, which means the strain on each mechanism is less than if it was working alone, meaning that a hybrid boiler will have a longer lifespan than a traditional, single-source boiler.

However, as with any new technology, hybrid boilers are currently fairly expensive, coming in at anything from £5,000-£10,000. While they will save you money on your energy bills in the long term, it might be wise to wait for a broader range of products to reach the market, and bring competitive pricing with it. If you are looking to replace your boiler in the immediate future, it is definitely worth considering a hybrid boiler. But, equally, an energy efficient conventional boiler may be the best option for you at this time.

Replacing your boiler is a serious investment, so it is important that you make the best decision for your needs. If you are in doubt, it's a good idea to talk to a couple of different local boiler suppliers and installers to see what is available on the market at the moment, what is suitable for your home and family size, and what is within your budget. Once these questions are answered you will be well on the way to making the right choice.

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Looking for more heating advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common heating questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What is the difference between a combi boiler and a system boiler?

A combi heats water straight from the mains on demand - no cylinder needed, which makes it compact and ideal for smaller homes or flats. A system boiler works with a hot water cylinder, storing a ready supply that can serve multiple taps or showers at once without the pressure dropping - better for larger homes with more bathrooms. There's also the conventional boiler, which needs both a cylinder and a cold water tank in the loft - common in older properties. A heating engineer can help you figure out which suits your home best.
Is an air source heat pump right for my home?

Heat pumps pull warmth from the outside air (even when it's cold) and use it to heat your home and hot water. They work best in well-insulated homes, ideally with underfloor heating or larger radiators that work well at lower temperatures. In draughty or poorly insulated properties, the benefits are more limited. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers a grant of up to £7,500 towards installation, so it's worth getting a professional assessment to see whether your home is a good fit before committing.
How often should a boiler be serviced?

Once a year, by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It keeps the boiler running safely, catches small issues before they become expensive, and is usually a condition of the manufacturer's warranty. Some home insurance policies require proof of regular servicing too. If you're not sure when yours was last done, book one before winter - better to find out before you're sitting in a cold house!
Why is my radiator cold at the top but warm at the bottom?

This issue is almost always trapped air. Bleeding the radiator - using a radiator key to release the air - usually sorts it, and it's one of the few heating jobs you can safely do yourself. If bleeding it doesn't work, or if several radiators are having the same problem, it might be a pressure or pump issue. Worth getting a heating engineer in to have a look.
What are the signs my boiler needs replacing?

Keep an eye out for: frequent breakdowns, energy bills going up without using more heat, unusual noises (banging, kettling, or whistling), a flame that's yellow or orange instead of blue, and any visible leaks or rust around the unit. If your boiler is over fifteen years old and ticking any of those boxes, replacing it is usually the more economical choice - modern boilers are significantly more efficient.
Is underfloor heating worth it and do I need a professional to install it?

For a new build or a big renovation, underfloor heating is often a great investment - it heats rooms more evenly than radiators and can be more efficient, especially alongside a heat pump. Retrofitting in an existing home is more of a job, and how worthwhile it is depends on your floor types and how much disruption you're happy to deal with. Either way - wet or electric - it has to be installed by a qualified professional.
Why does my boiler keep losing pressure?

Some pressure drop over time is normal, but if you're topping it up regularly there's usually a cause: a small leak in the system (which isn't always easy to spot), a pressure relief valve that's releasing water, or air in the system after bleeding radiators. Topping it up via the filling loop is fine as a short-term fix, but if you're doing it more than a couple of times a year, it's worth getting an engineer to look into why it keeps happening.

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