A whitepaper report has been released by Baxi, exploring policy around hybrid heat pump systems as well as recommending an informed rollout of the technology
Gemserv, commissioned by Baxi, researched and produced the whitepaper, Unlocking the Power of Heat Pumps with Hybrid Installations.
The report was officially launched at an event in Westminster last week.
The paper intends to accelerate decarbonisation in home heating systems
The paper delves into the suitability of heat pumps, specifically those deployed in a hybrid configuration with gas boilers in UK homes, and makes policy recommendations to speed up the process of decarbonisation.
This includes consideration for eligibility under the boiler upgrade scheme, better representation of the carbon-saving benefits of hybrid systems under the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, and a rebalancing of electricity prices to reduce the cost of running.
The paper was published shortly after the government announced the Warm Homes Plan, which features a boost to funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and a reformation for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, all in preparation for increased heat pump adoption in the UK.
Jeff House, external affairs and policy director at Baxi, said: “There has been no shortage of ambition to decarbonise heat in the UK, as demonstrated through the Government’s commitment to make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower and the additional support provided through the Warm Homes Plan. However, we wanted to commission this report to demonstrate that there is a real missed opportunity when it comes to including hybrid systems within these policies.
“Whilst heat pumps, whether deployed individually or at the heart of heat networks, will be one of the key mass market drivers of decarbonised heat, we have a responsibility to ensure a balanced and equitable transition in line with consumer needs. A hybrid system offers advantages as a transitional technology, not only in terms of overcoming some technical barriers to make them more cost effective in difficult to decarbonise homes, but also for energy system flexibility and resilience.”
The policy recommendations for hybrid heat pumps are:
- Increase the credit for hybrids through the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) – Under the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM), hybrid systems are recognised as a solution to drive heat pump uptake within the scheme. However, they only count for 0.5 credits. Given the potential carbon savings from installing a hybrid alongside a gas boiler, there is a need to increase the incentive for the industry to support hybrid installs in inappropriate housing archetypes. Before the scheme starts in 2025, there is a clear window to secure greater progress by increasing the credit for hybrids to 0.75.
- Include hybrids in upcoming changes to the Home Energy Model (HEM) – There is an existing model for hybrid systems in the Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP), the methodology that underpins Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). This is significant as it enables hybrids to be a recommended measure for households looking to improve the energy performance of their homes. With upcoming changes to the Home Energy Model (HEM) methodology, which will replace the current SAP methodology, it is recommended that hybrids are included in the Product Characteristics Database (PCDB) and the Reduced Data Home Energy Model (RdHEM) to ensure continuity and to enable access to the technology going forward.
- Make low-carbon heat more affordable by rebalancing electricity prices – Higher running costs for low-carbon heating systems remain a significant barrier to uptake. To reduce running costs rebalancing the price of electricity and gas is a key step. By addressing the disparity in the price of electricity and gas through decoupling, the operating costs of low-carbon heating systems can fall in line with fossil fuel systems, helping to incentivise broad switching amongst consumers.
