A hybrid heating system combines dual fuel or dual technology heating systems to create a cost-effective solution for buildings that struggle to go completely renewable. For example, a hybrid heating system may include a high-efficiency continuous flow water heater or a hydrogen-ready water heater paired with a renewable heating system like a low-GWP air source heat pump.
For projects aiming to replace their domestic hot water system with a more energy-efficient and greener solution, a hybrid heating system is an excellent option, especially if the building has good insulation. A hybrid heating system offers designers and building operators the familiarity of a continuous flow water heating system combined with the renewable energy of an air source heat pump. Hybrid heating systems are ideal for buildings facing practical, economic, and technical feasibility issues that prevent them from fully adopting heat pumps or solar thermal systems.
The Rinnai Hybrid solution leads the market in energy conservation. The Rinnai water heater reads the temperature of the preheated hot water and modulates the gas input to boost the water to the required temperature. This maximises renewable gains and optimises the use of natural gas or hydrogen in the future.
Check out some of our hybrid installations here.
Do I Need a Hybrid System?
There are several challenges affecting hybrid water heating and heating solutions, including:
- High Upfront Costs: The initial investment for heat pumps can be significant, deterring businesses from adopting this technology.
- Operational Costs: Although heat pumps can be more efficient, the cost of electricity compared to fossil fuels can impact their economic viability.
- Building Suitability: Not all commercial buildings are immediately suitable for heat pumps without modifications. Older buildings may require significant upgrades to insulation and heating distribution systems.
- Regulatory and Permitting Issues: Navigating the regulatory landscape and obtaining necessary permits can be complex and time-consuming.
The good news is that hybrid water heating systems are more flexible and can accommodate a wider range of property types. They are a viable option for less thermally efficient buildings, properties with space or load restrictions, and sites where the local power system may struggle to meet demand.
Ready to Go Hybrid?
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Hybrid heating systems are the natural next step for the heating industry as the government strives to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. The system includes both a water heater and a heat pump to deliver an efficient and cost-effective heating solution year-round. The water heaters compensate for the heat pump's performance when supplying high levels of hot water.
An air source or ground source heat pump extracts heat from the air outside and uses it to heat the building and produce hot water. For domestic hot water (DHW), the hybrid water heating system needs to be accompanied by a storage vessel filled with preheated hot water that utilises the energy from the heat pump as the primary heat source. As the heat pump's performance can vary with the seasons and the hot water demand may exceed the heat pump's capacity, incorporating Rinnai continuous flow water heaters becomes necessary.
Rinnai technology is equipped with smart controls that monitor the incoming water temperature and boost it accordingly. This ensures that the renewable heat generated is maximised, and only the required amount of energy is used to boost the temperature to the set point. This is crucial for maintaining anti-legionella regimes for applications requiring hot water above 60 degrees Celcius constantly.