In 2024, Phoenix Energy in partnership with Refresh NI, installed a hybrid heating system in a mid-terrace home in Belvoir Park, South Belfast. The purpose of this 12 month trial was to evaluate the carbon and consumer benefits of pairing a gas boiler with an air source heat pump (ASHP) in a hybrid setup.
By utilising both heating systems, consumers can maximise the efficiency of the ASHP while still benefiting from the reliability and peak heating capabilities of a gas boiler. Additionally, this hybrid system requires very little disruption, as there are no changes needed to the existing heating infrastructure, including the hot water tank or radiators.
The installed Alpha E-Tech hybrid system was ‘cost optimised,’ meaning it automatically selected the most cost-effective method to heat the home based on both external and internal temperatures, as well as gas and electricity tariffs.
After a full year of data collection and analysis, the key findings from the trial were:
- The hybrid system kept the occupants warm and comfortable throughout the year.
- The ASHP provided 84% of the heating load, while the gas boiler handled the remaining 16%.
- Due to the gas boiler managing peak demand, the ASHP operated at 354% efficiency - 3.54 kWh of heat was produced for every 1 kWh of electricity consumed.
- The heating cost for the consumer averaged £2.56 per day - 16% cheaper than a traditional gas boiler and 20% cheaper compared to an ASHP system only.
- Switching from a gas boiler to a hybrid system resulted in a 51% reduction in heating emissions. If the same system replaced an oil boiler, it would reduce carbon emissions by 61%.
The data collected over the trial period confirms that a hybrid heating system offers significant benefits in terms of both carbon reduction and cost savings for consumers.
If you would like to find out more about this trial or hybrid heating solutions, please contact Lachlan Nally, Renewable Energy Projects Manager.
