A hybrid heat pump is an air-to-water heat pump installed alongside an existing gas, LPG or oil boiler, with a controller that decides which one supplies heat at any moment. Typically the heat pump covers mild and moderate weather, and the boiler takes over or helps on the coldest days, or whenever it is cheaper to run on the prices entered into the controller.
Combi homes in County Tyrone with no space for a cylinder can look at a hybrid that keeps the combi for hot water. For County Tyrone homes with a boiler that is still fairly new, a hybrid lets a heat pump take on much of the heating now. Installers covering County Tyrone set up the hybrid controller so you can see and adjust when each heat source runs.
Who it suits
- Combi homes with no room for a cylinder
- Large or hard-to-insulate homes where a full heat pump is difficult for now
- Homes with a fairly new boiler the owner wants to keep using
- Owners who want a stepping stone towards a full heat pump later
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Northern Ireland
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers England and Wales only, and there is currently no dedicated heat pump grant for homeowners in Northern Ireland. Our quote for a home in County Tyrone is therefore shown without a grant deduction; if support becomes available we will tell you how it applies.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump in Northern Ireland until 31 March 2027, the same as in Great Britain. Planning and building control here follow Northern Ireland's own rules, so the survey checks the unit position against them.
Hybrid heat pumps prices in County Tyrone
Here are typical prices for hybrid heat pumps in County Tyrone, installed and including VAT. Use the guide price tool for a figure based on your home, then a survey confirms it in writing.
| System | Installed guide price |
|---|---|
| Hybrid heat pump alongside an existing boiler | £6,800–£10,650 |
Installed, inc VAT.
Towns we cover in County Tyrone
We cover 6 towns in County Tyrone for hybrid heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for Northern Ireland.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omagh | BT78 | Fivemiletown | 7 h 15 min |
| Coalisland | BT71 | Dungannon | 7 h 16 min |
| Cookstown | BT80 | Coalisland | 7 h 14 min |
| Dungannon | BT71 | Coalisland | 7 h 16 min |
| Fivemiletown | BT75 | Lisnaskea | 7 h 18 min |
| Strabane | BT82 | Derry/Londonderry | 7 h 12 min |
Hybrid heat pumps questions
Can I get the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for a hybrid heat pump?
No. In England and Wales hybrid systems are not eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, because the scheme requires the heat pump to meet the home's full heating and hot water needs on its own. If a grant matters to your budget, a full air-to-water heat pump is the option that can qualify. In Scotland and Northern Ireland we check at survey what, if any, funding applies.
Does a hybrid switch between heat sources automatically?
Yes. The hybrid controller follows rules set at commissioning: it might switch to the boiler below a chosen outdoor temperature, compare running costs using the prices you enter, or prioritise lower carbon. Some systems run both together in very cold weather. The installer sets these for your home and shows you how to adjust them when tariffs change.
Can a hybrid work with my combi boiler?
Yes, some hybrids are designed to work with a combi, with the heat pump heating the radiators and the combi continuing to provide hot water on demand. That avoids finding space for a cylinder, which is one of the main reasons people choose a hybrid. Other hybrid designs use a cylinder heated by the heat pump, with the boiler as backup.
Is a hybrid a good step towards a full heat pump?
It can be, if the outdoor unit and pipework are sized with a future full system in mind. Later, once insulation has improved or radiators have been upgraded, the boiler can be removed and the system converted, provided the heat pump is large enough for the full load. Raise this at survey so the design leaves room to change.