Off the grid, not off the table - Why heat pumps can’t go it alone

Niall Parkin, Sustainable Fuels Product Manager at Calor, examines the challenges of an electrification-first approach, and the advantages LPG offers for installers navigating the low-carbon transition in an evolving market.

As the UK pushes for greater electrification, heating installers face challenges with infrastructure readiness, affordability, and the practicalities of heat pump deployment - particularly in rural, off-gas grid areas. While heat pumps are vital for decarbonisation, grid constraints and installation hurdles highlight the need for additional flexible low-carbon alternatives. LPG and the drop in low carbon alternative BioLPG, offer reliable, scalable solutions that can provide instant high temperature heat and hot water, high efficiency, and seamless integration into existing wet heating systems and AGA cookers, making them practical options where full electrification is unfeasible. Despite hybrid heating systems being successfully deployed elsewhere, such as in the Netherlands, UK Government policy continues to exclude them from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), limiting financial incentives for homeowners, landlords and businesses.

Electrification can’t go it alone

The UK’s commitment to decarbonising its heating systems has seen policymakers prioritising electrification, with heat pumps positioned as the primary solution for reducing carbon emissions from homes. However, an electrification-first strategy presents significant challenges, particularly for off-grid and hard-to-reach areas. The assumption that all homes can transition seamlessly to electric heating overlooks fundamental infrastructure limitations, affordability concerns and practical installation barriers. Approximately 2 million households across the United Kingdom are not connected to the gas grid1. These homes, often located in rural and remote areas, lack access to a connected grid system, making full electrification impractical. Even where electricity is available, grid constraints pose a major barrier to widespread heat pump adoption. Beyond the limitations of off-grid properties, the broader UK electricity network is not equipped for mass electrification. A study by the Aldersgate Group warns that 42% of large industrial sites could experience grid constraints by 2030, increasing to 77% by 20502. While these figures relate to industry, the knock-on effect for domestic supply – particularly during winter demand peaks – should not be underestimated. Installers in these areas already face challenges in delivering heat pumps systems reliably and affordably3, and grid constraints are likely to worsen before they improve. Beyond infrastructure, skills shortages are hampering progress. According to the Heat Pump Association, the UK will need an additional 33,700 qualified professionals to meet government targets for heat pump rollout4. With the existing workforce struggling to meet demand, installation delays could further complicate the transition to electrified heating, leaving installers unable to fulfil orders efficiently. Moreover, properties unsuitable for heat pumps – due to insulation, space or design constraints – will continue to require alternative low-carbon solutions. Affordability is another major barrier preventing widespread electrification. Heat pumps require high upfront costs, with installation expenses ranging from £7,000 to £13,000 depending on property type and necessary insultation upgrades. While the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants of up to £7,500, these subsidies do not cover hybrid heating systems, leaving many homeowners unable to access cost-effective low-carbon alternatives. This lack of support for hybrid systems is particularly perplexing when compared to international best practices. In Europe, particularly in the Netherlands and Italy, hybrid systems account for roughly 50% of heat pump installations5, allowing homeowners to reduce emissions while maintaining reliable heat supply. What’s more, in the Netherlands, hybrid heat pumps will become mandatory from 2026, ensuring homeowners transitioning from traditional heating systems have affordable, scalable and practical options. Without similar incentives, UK homeowners and installers are restricted in their ability to deploy hybrid heating systems, forcing them to choose between full electrification or sticking with fossil fuels.

The case for flexible choices

These hybrid systems, which typically combine an air-source heat pump with a gas or LPG boiler, allow homeowners to cut emissions while retaining a backup for high-demand periods. They reduce the pressure on the electricity grid and make use of existing heating infrastructure, making them especially suitable for older or off-grid homes. For installers, hybrid systems offer flexibility, reliability and scalability – but UK policy continues to overlook their potential. LPG has long been established as an efficient heating solution in rural areas, with suppliers ensuring consistent delivery to off-grid locations. It offers instant high-temperature heat and hot water, and integrates seamlessly with existing wet heating systems, Aga cookers and hot water cylinders, offering a low-disruption pathway to decarbonisation. BioLPG, the renewable alternative to traditional LPG, further enhances carbon reduction efforts, offering up to 80% fewer emissions compared to conventional LPG6 – making it a sustainable solution while maintaining compatibility with existing appliances. Installers can position BioLPG as a future-proof heating option, enabling homeowners to cut emissions without the disruption and high costs associated with full electrification. This policy gap limits installers’ ability to recommend practical alternatives to clients. If the UK is to accelerate the transition to low-carbon heating, it must take a more flexible approach by recognising hybrid heating systems as a legitimate solution. Offering incentives for hybrid systems would make them more accessible to homeowners while supporting installers in delivering sustainable, costeffective heating options.

A smarter path forward

The challenge now is one of recognition and reform. UK energy policy must broaden its lens and accept that decarbonisation cannot be achieved through electrification alone. Installers need support to offer a wider range of solutions tailored to real homes with real constraints. This means expanding the BUS to include hybrid systems, supporting the adoption of BioLPG through targeted incentives and investing in grid upgrades to ensuring the future viability of electric heating technologies. More broadly, it requires a shift in mindset – from a centralised, top-down planning

to a more flexible, industry-informed approach that recognises regional variation and technical limitations. For installers, the low-carbon transition is not a theoretical exercise. It’s a day-today reality involving complex customer needs, tight budgets and variable site conditions. The success of the UK’s heating decarbonisation strategy will depend not just on the technologies we champion, but on how well they fit into the lives and homes of those who rely on them. For heating professionals, the key to navigating the low-carbon transition lies in adaptability. While heat pumps will play a vital role, installers must also advocate for diverse solutions like LPG and BioLPG, particularly for properties where full electrification is unfeasible. Policymakers should expand financial incentives to include hybrid systems, invest in grid improvements and acknowledge the value of multiple decarbonisation pathways. The future of heating must balance sustainability with practicality. By embracing hybrid heating solutions and ensuring that policy decisions reflect real-world constraints, the UK can deliver a more resilient, cost-effective and inclusive transition. The future of heating isn’t just electric – it’s smart, flexible and built on choice. For more information on Calor, or its products and services, visit: www.calor.co.uk.

Source

1. www.liquidgasuk.org/domestic/new-to-lpg
2. www.aldersgategroup.org.uk/publications/post/uk-industry-will-face-network-constraints-without-investment-in-critical-electricity-infrastructure/
3. www.heatpumps.org.uk/resources/statistics/
4. www.heatpumps.org.uk/166-increase-in-qualified-heat-pump-installers/
5. Calls for Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include hybrid heating systems - PropertyWire
6. calor-emission-factor-april-2024.pdf