If you live in an older UK property, you’ll know that upgrading your heating can feel daunting. Between insulation requirements, space constraints, and the complexity of older pipework, some options can seem out of reach. That’s why hybrid heating systems, now the subject of new trial findings from Worcester Bosch*, are gaining attention as a practical choice for homeowners who want a lower carbon* solution without the disruption of major home upgrades that could be required for, say, a heat pump.
A hybrid system works by letting the heat pump handle most day-to-day heating, while the boiler steps in only when needed. For many households, that means fewer compromises: the efficiency benefits of a heat pump, with the reassurance of a boiler during the coldest periods or when demand is higher.
One reason hybrid systems are gaining attention is installation flexibility. A hybrid heating setup can often work with existing radiators and pipework, and doesn't always require a hot water tank. This can make it easier to fit into older housing stock - properties that can be more challenging to adapt for a full heat-pump-only system.
Worcester Bosch recently carried out a trial to explore how hybrid systems perform in real-world conditions. While every home is different, the findings offer useful insight into what homeowners might expect. The trial found that hybrid systems could see energy bill savings of around £79 a year when compared with a gas-only boiler**, and that properties with a hybrid system could improve their Energy Performance Certificate rating. For example, from a D to a C***.
For homeowners weighing up future heating options – particularly those in older homes where a heat-pump-only installation isn’t straightforward – hybrid systems may be worth considering. They don’t demand major alterations, and the new trial data suggests they can offer reliable comfort while supporting lower carbon* performance.
If you’re curious about how hybrid systems work or whether they could suit your property, visit Worcester Bosch today.
Full trial data and findings can be found here.
- *A heat pump when running emits less carbon dioxide than a system run on solely a gas or oil boiler. A hybrid heat pump system when running emits less carbon dioxide than a system run on solely a gas or oil boiler.
- ** Analysis conducted based on Cosy Octopus Tariffs (Oct. 2025). Assumed unit from Octopus: (gas: 6.29 p/kWh), Time of Use Electricity Tariff based on Cosy Octopus (weighted average: 21.07p/kWh). Average boiler efficiency: 85%
- *** Analysis conducted with RdSAP 9.94
- **** Assumed CO2 emissions per usage of kWh of electricity (0.207 kg CO2e/kWh) and gas (0.183 kg CO2e/kWh).