Comment by Rebecca Sweeney, Business Leader, at Energy Systems Catapult

Decarbonising home heating is one of the most significant challenges on our journey to Net Zero. At the heart of this challenge is managing ‘peak heat’ – the massive spike in energy demand during the coldest winter months. Millions of homes need heating at the same time, putting immense pressure on the grid. It’s an issue that’s only going to grow as we shift towards electrifying heating systems.

But what if there was a smart, flexible solution that could keep you warm without the worry of overloading the grid? That’s where hybrid heat pumps come in.

Cracking the ‘peak heat’ problem

Right now, gas is doing most of the heavy lifting during peak heat periods. It’s quick, efficient, and keeps homes warm. But as we decarbonise and transition to electrified systems, relying solely on electricity during these critical moments becomes a major hurdle. Think of those freezing winter mornings when millions of homes are firing up their heating systems simultaneously. It’s a recipe for grid overload, especially as we shift towards electric heating. Building an infrastructure that can respond to this ‘peak heat’ challenge and handle this surge could be both expensive and time-consuming. But what if we didn’t need to?

Enter hybrid heat pumps. Our Innovating to Net Zero 2024 report found a potentially important system value in hybrid heating systems combining heat pumps with the supply of gaseous energy (natural gas) through the transition. This is both to avoid stifling the roll-out of low carbon technologies such as EVs and heat pumps while we are upgrading and expanding the electricity network, and to provide resilience in extreme weather events during that transition.

Hybrids are a game-changer

Hybrid heat pumps combine the best of both worlds – an electric heat pump for everyday use, and a gas boiler that kicks in when temperatures plummet. During mild weather, the electric heat pump does the heavy lifting, cutting emissions and using clean energy. But when things get seriously cold, the gas boiler steps in, providing extra oomph to keep homes toasty without straining the grid.

This flexibility is exactly what we need. By using gas when it is most needed, hybrid heat pumps take pressure off the electricity network during peak periods, avoiding costly grid upgrades. It’s like having a backup plan in your back pocket – keeping things running smoothly even in the most extreme conditions.

What’s in it for you?

Upgrading your heating system can feel like a big, daunting step. But hybrid heat pumps offer a win-win solution. They provide a flexible, future-proof system that allows you to gradually transition to low carbon heating without sacrificing comfort or breaking the bank.

Despite the industry’s best efforts to demonstrate the effectiveness of heat pumps in cold weather – and indeed our own (see our Electrification of Heat Demonstration Project where we found only a marginal decline in whole system performance on some of the country’s coldest days) many homeowners continue to ask: “Will I be warm enough with a  heat pump?” This concern, we refer to as ‘warmth anxiety’, can leave some worried about staying cozy in winter.

Hybrid systems completely alleviate that fear. When temperatures drop, the gas boiler in your hybrid system steps in to give you the extra warmth you need. No need to worry about your heat pump keeping up during freezing conditions – hybrid heat pumps combine the reliability of gas heating with the low carbon benefits of electric heat pumps, ensuring you stay warm and comfortable year-round.

Making decarbonisation easier

Switching to low carbon heating doesn’t have to be a massive disruption. Hybrid heat pumps offer a realistic, cost-effective way for consumers to start reducing emissions now. They bridge the gap, allowing homeowners to transition at a pace that works for them.

The beauty of hybrids is they offer immediate carbon savings while giving the grid time to catch up. As renewable energy generation ramps up and the electricity network strengthens, homeowners can gradually rely more on electric heating. But until then, hybrids keep things efficient, reliable, and affordable.

Ease the load

Let’s face it – a fully electrified heating system is going to place a huge load on the grid during those cold winter spells. Without hybrid solutions, we’re looking at massive investment in grid reinforcement and storage to keep things running smoothly. But with hybrid heat pumps, we can spread the load across both gas and electricity, reducing the risk of blackouts and keeping costs manageable. This means less immediate need for costly grid upgrades and fewer investments in new infrastructure.

Hybrids balance energy sources smartly, ensuring that we can continue rolling out low carbon technologies without immediately needing to overhaul the national infrastructure. They’re not just a stopgap – they’re a strategic solution to one of the biggest hurdles in the Net Zero transition.

The future of heat

Hybrid heat pumps are critical to making the transition to low carbon heating smoother, faster, and more cost-effective. They tackle the peak heat problem head-on, balancing demand across gas and electricity networks and keeping homes warm – even on the coldest days.

For many, switching to low carbon heating can feel like a leap of faith. Hybrid heat pumps offer a practical, low disruption way to transition. By offering the security of gas heating when temperatures plummet, hybrids ease warmth anxiety, making the move to greener technology feel far less risky.

Hybrids allow you to start decarbonising your home without sacrificing warmth. As renewable energy becomes more available and the electricity grid strengthens, you can lean more on the electric heat pump portion of your system. In the meantime, hybrids ensure your home stays cozy, no matter how extreme the weather.

In the broader push towards Net Zero, hybrid heat pumps are more than just part of the solution – they’re a catalyst for progress. By helping us navigate the peak heat challenge, they offer both immediate and long-term benefits, paving the way for a fully electrified, sustainable future. The road to Net Zero doesn’t have to be all or nothing – hybrid heat pumps give us the flexibility we need now and the sustainability we demand for tomorrow.

If we’re serious about solving the peak heat problem, hybrids aren’t just a smart option – they’re the solution.

Read more blogs in our Innovating to Net Zero Insights Series below.