Hybrid Heat Pumps: How They Work, Costs & Pros and Cons

Hybrid heat pumps can give you the best of both worlds when it comes to home heating systems. By combining a traditional boiler with a heat pump, you’ll receive reliable, year-round warmth while improving energy efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, leading to lower energy bills.

In this guide, we’ll explore how hybrid heat pumps work, what they cost, and whether they’re the right fit for your home. But, the smartest way to find out if a hybrid heating system suits your home is by speaking with a trusted installer.

However, finding the right one can be difficult as it requires hours spent researching and comparing quotes. That's where WhatCost comes in. We cut through the hassle by offering four free quotes from vetted professionals. Just fill out our quick 30-second form and start saving time, stress, and money today.

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Hybrid heat pumps are a type of heating system that combines a heat pump, typically an air source heat pump, with a traditional gas or oil boiler. While ground source heat pumps can be used, it is not that common. 

These hybrid heating systems are perfect for homes that can’t solely rely on a heat pump alone due to poor insulation or small radiators. By combining a heat pump with a boiler, whether it is a current boiler or a replacement boiler, you can get the best of both worlds by reducing your carbon output and lowering your energy bills while keeping the reliability and energy output of traditional boiler heating systems.

A hybrid heat pump works by combining a traditional boiler and a heat pump, often an air to air heat pump. The heat pump typically provides 70% to 80% of your home’s heating, according to Worcester Bosch. However, during colder months, heat pumps are less efficient because there is less heat in the outside air. As a result, they require more electricity to maintain warm indoor temperatures. 

When this occurs, the hybrid heat pump system automatically switches to the boiler when the heat pump efficiency drops, usually at low outdoor temperatures. This increases the efficiency of your heating system. 

This is often controlled by a smart controller or thermostat, which monitors outdoor temperatures. In many cases, you can control at which temperature the hybrid heat pump system should switch to the boiler. 

Additionally, there is another form of hybrid air source heat pumps that you can choose from where the switch is not reliant on the temperature but instead focuses on tariff control. This form of hybrid heat pump switches between the heat pump and boiler based on real-time energy prices. The smart control chooses the best option at any given time, helping to maximise savings without sacrificing indoor comfort. 

To further boost efficiency, heat pumps and solar panels can be combined. Solar panels can help power the heat pump, which helps reduce your home's reliance on the grid, which in turn lowers your electricity bills. This not only cuts energy costs but also helps reduce your carbon footprint.

Hybrid heating systems are a great way to reduce energy costs, but they are particularly effective in larger homes or ones with poor insulation, where a heat pump alone may struggle to meet heating demands.

The cost of hybrid heat pumps in the UK as of May 2025 is around £9,000. However, if you plan on getting a new boiler on top of this, it can add an additional £3,800 to the overall price. 

Several other factors can affect the total cost, including:

Heat pump installation in the UK can range between £150 to £250 per worker  per day. These rates may be higher for larger homes with complex layouts, as installation takes longer and requires more labour over additional days Additionally, the location of where you are can impact the installation costs. Typically, installation costs are higher in cities than in rural areas to match the current cost of living. On average, about 10% of the overall hybrid heat pump cost will go towards installation rates. The rest will be based on materials. 

To give you a better understanding of hybrid heat pump costs, we have created the following table comparing the prices of the different heat pumps available:

Note: Air source heat pump prices (air to air) tend to be lower than the other heat pumps available as they do not heat water, meaning installation is less invasive and simple. 

Another important factor to consider when choosing a hybrid heat pump system is the running cost. Below, we’ve outlined the average running costs for different types of heat pumps and boilers to give you a clearer idea of what you can expect to spend over time.

Note: The running costs above are based on the average Coefficient of Performance (COP) . Systems with higher COPs are more efficient, as they generate more heat per unit of electricity, leading to reduced running costs. While heat pumps and boilers with higher COPs may have a higher upfront cost, they typically offer better long-term savings through lower energy consumption.

Hybrid heat pumps can be a serious upfront investment, but they have the potential to offer long-term savings that can benefit your wallet over time. The exact savings of hybrid heat pumps can be difficult to calculate as they depend on various factors, such as whether you are replacing an older boiler, your home's insulation, property type, and the efficiency of the system (COP).

The table below is based on potential annual savings for an air source heat pump, as most hybrid heating systems use this technology as the primary heating source. It is important to note that hybrid systems use heat pumps 70-80% of the time, so savings will be slightly lower than in the table below. 

Note: The savings shown in the table above reflect the replacement of older, less efficient heating systems. These figures apply to heat pumps in Scotland, Wales and England.

Savings differ in Northern Ireland, below is a table showing the potential savings:

Hybrid heat pumps are a significant investment, one in which many people struggle to afford, especially in this current economic climate. However, the UK’s government offers several heat pump grants to help offset these costs. 

To fully understand grant eligibility, costs and savings, it is essential to work alongside a trusted heat pump installer. However, the search for the right installer can be daunting and time-consuming, requiring you to compare quotes and verify credentials without a guarantee of success.

This is where WhatCost steps in to make your life easier. By filling out our quick 30-second form, you'll gain access to up to four free heat pump quotes. No hidden costs or obligations. Let us help you connect with the best professionals in your area.

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Understanding the hybrid heating system’s advantages and disadvantages will help you make an informed and conscious decision on whether this system is right for you and your home.

A hybrid air source heat pump is an excellent option for homeowners whose homes may not be suitable for standalone heat pumps. This makes them ideal for homes with limited insulation or space, such as flats, and can work alongside different heat pump types, such as air source, ground source, or water source heat pumps.

By combining the efficiency of heat pumps with the reliability of a boiler, hybrid heating systems in the UK offer flexibility, low running costs, and reduced energy bills. Although costs can be expensive, especially if you are replacing an old boiler with a hybrid boiler system, the benefits outweigh the initial costs. 

Many leading heat pump manufacturers now offer hybrid-ready models, making them more accessible for homeowners. With a bigger push for hybrid models, the UK government is offering more grant schemes to help you afford these amazing heating systems.

Finding the right installer for hybrid heat pumps can be a daunting task. Comparing quotes can take up your time and energy without guaranteeing any leads. However, using WhatCost’s service can help streamline this experience. By filling out our 30-second form, we'll connect you with up to four free quotes tailored to your needs. 

Our customers praise our service for its ability to match them with top-rated installers. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to save valuable time and effort! 

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