As we are all doing our best to reduce our carbon footprint, many people are considering what they can do in their homes to reduce carbon emissions and save money. Installing a more energy efficient boiler is one sure fire way to reduce that carbon footprint. But choosing the right one that doesn’t cost a fortune can be a challenge. Hybrid boilers are a new technology that offer a good first step into a lifestyle of reduced carbon emissions.
What is a hybrid boiler?
A hybrid boiler is a combination of a traditional boiler and a renewable source heat pump. It uses an intelligent system that keeps track of the temperature and assesses the most cost-effective and energy-efficient way of heating your home and providing hot water. Where possible, a hybrid boiler will use its heat pump, which extracts warmth from the air or ground. An air or ground heat source pump can get heat energy even at very low temperatures, but if they can’t get the energy they need, your fossil fuels will kick in.
Why invest in a hybrid boiler?
Because a hybrid boiler uses a renewable resource with a fossil-fuel back up, it is a great way to go green, without compromising on your own comfort; you will never be without heating and hot water. What’s more, a hybrid boiler uses two different methods for producing heat, which means the strain on each mechanism is less than if it was working alone, meaning that a hybrid boiler will have a longer lifespan than a traditional, single-source boiler.
However, as with any new technology, hybrid boilers are currently fairly expensive, coming in at anything from £5,000-£10,000. While they will save you money on your energy bills in the long term, it might be wise to wait for a broader range of products to reach the market, and bring competitive pricing with it. If you are looking to replace your boiler in the immediate future, it is definitely worth considering a hybrid boiler. But, equally, an energy efficient conventional boiler may be the best option for you at this time.
Replacing your boiler is a serious investment, so it is important that you make the best decision for your needs. If you are in doubt, it's a good idea to talk to a couple of different local boiler suppliers and installers to see what is available on the market at the moment, what is suitable for your home and family size, and what is within your budget. Once these questions are answered you will be well on the way to making the right choice.
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