A hybrid heating trial conducted by the Energy Systems Catapult has found that consumers are open to removing their gas boiler and replacing it with a heat pump so long as they can buy their heat as a service.
The trial, which took place in winter 2018/19, saw hybrid heating systems comprising a heat pump, a gas boiler and a set of controls installed in five of the 100 smart households in the Energy System Catapult’s Living Lab.
Upon completion, four of the five said they were open to removing the gas boiler and relying entirely on the heat pump. This was providing they could buy their heat as a service, meaning they would pay a fixed weekly amount for their energy, maintenance and their heating system.
Participants said fixing the costs of their heating would give them the confidence to leave their heating on for the longer periods of time a heat pump would need to warm their home.
Additionally, they said, having inclusive servicing and maintenance would offer confidence in adopting an unfamiliar technology.
During the trial participants said they felt no change in their level of comfort after having a heat pump installed, with participants being unable to distinguish whether the heating was being provided by the boiler or the heat pump.
Matt Lipson, consumer insight business lead at Energy Systems Catapult, said: “The UK has a target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, yet only about 5 per cent of UK homes currently have low carbon heating, compared to 85 per cent with gas boilers.
“Low carbon heating is simply a step into the unknown for most households. Consumers have concerns about their ability to get warm and comfortable at an affordable price and how to fix the system if it breaks down.
“Yet our research clearly shows that people care more about heating outcomes – such as getting warm and comfortable – than which device or system delivers the heat.”
He added: “If people have the peace of mind that heat-as-a-service will deliver the comfort they want at a price they can afford then when it comes time to replace their gas boiler, they will be more confident of switching to a low carbon heating system like a heat pump, district heat network or hydrogen boiler.”