Hybrid Heat Pump Systems

The hybrid system offers the best of both worlds...Renewable energy heating during milder winter days, with a familiar condensing gas boiler providing supplementary heating during cold winter months.

The system can be connected to existing radiators without the need for upgrading.

The system comprises of:-

A 5/8kW Low temperature air source heat pump - The heat pump extracts heat energy from a renewable energy source (The outside air), using a refrigeration based circuit.

The heat pump collects low grade heat energy by evaporating refrigerant in an external 'evaporator' unit. The heat energy is then amplified (by compression of the refrigerant) in an internal 'condenser' hydrobox heat exchanger unit, where it can be transferred to a home's central heating system.

The low temperature heat pump produces water temperatures up to 50ºC, providing adequate heating in a home during milder winter months.

A 33kW Condensing gas boiler - The condensing gas boiler is utilised to provide hot water (either instantaneously or via a hot water cylinder), or to supplement the output of the heat pump to heat a property during colder winter months. 

How does the system work?

Depending on three factors, the outside air temperature, internal heat load and the price of electricity/gas, the heat pump determines the most energy efficient mode to operate.

Step 1 - Heat Pump Mode

Generally during milder months, when a property's heat load is relatively low. The heat pump solely operates to provide gentle heat to the radiators, as they do not need to be as warm to maintain the house at a comfortable temperature. 

Step 2 - Hybrid Mode

During colder winter months (Around 0-2ºC air temperatures), where a property's heat demand has increased, the gas boiler is operated simultaneously with the heat pump to raise the output temperature of the system. As the heat demand of the property has increased, radiators need to be at a higher temperature to keep a house at a comfortable temperature.

Depending on the cost of gas and electricity, the system determines the most cost effective point in which the heat pump requires supplementary heating from the boiler.

Step 3 - Gas Boiler Mode

On extremely cold winter days, where air temperatures are so low that the heat pump cannot efficiently provide heat, the gas boiler operates solely to heat a property.

Again, depending on the gas/electricity, the system determines when it is no longer efficient to operate the heat pump system.