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.
A survey in Wiltshire can set a hybrid against a full heat pump for owners anywhere in Wiltshire. For Wiltshire homes with a boiler that is still fairly new, a hybrid lets a heat pump take on much of the heating now. Larger, older houses in Wiltshire that would need a very big heat pump may suit a hybrid while insulation is improved.
Who it suits
- Homes with a fairly new boiler the owner wants to keep using
- Combi homes with no room for a cylinder
- Owners who want a stepping stone towards a full heat pump later
- Large or hard-to-insulate homes where a full heat pump is difficult for now
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
In England the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source heat pump (£9,000 if it replaces oil or LPG, from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027), and since 28 April 2026 a valid EPC is no longer needed. The grant is applied for by the MCS-certified installer and shown as a deduction on your quote.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK until 31 March 2027. In England most houses can have an air source heat pump under permitted development, provided the unit meets the MCS noise and siting standards; the old 1 m boundary limit was removed on 29 May 2025. We flag listed buildings, flats and sensitive conservation-area positions at survey.
Hybrid heat pumps prices in Wiltshire
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Wiltshire, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Wiltshire can need quite different radiators and pipework.
| System | Installed guide price |
|---|---|
| Hybrid heat pump alongside an existing boiler | £7,050–£11,100 |
Installed, inc VAT. Hybrid systems are not eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Towns we cover in Wiltshire
We cover 12 towns in Wiltshire for hybrid heat pumps. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swindon | SN1 | Marlborough | 7 h 49 min |
| Salisbury | SP1 | Amesbury | 7 h 54 min |
| Trowbridge | BA14 | Bradford-on-Avon | 7 h 51 min |
| Chippenham | SN15 | Corsham | 7 h 50 min |
| Melksham | SN12 | Corsham | 7 h 51 min |
| Warminster | BA12 | Trowbridge | 7 h 53 min |
| Calne | SN11 | Chippenham | 7 h 50 min |
| Devizes | SN10 | Calne | 7 h 51 min |
| Amesbury | SP4 | Salisbury | 7 h 53 min |
| Bradford-on-Avon | BA15 | Trowbridge | 7 h 51 min |
| Corsham | SN13 | Chippenham | 7 h 50 min |
| Marlborough | SN8 | Swindon | 7 h 50 min |
Hybrid heat pumps questions
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.
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.
Do I still need to service my boiler with a hybrid?
Yes. The boiler still needs its annual service, by a registered gas engineer for gas or LPG or an oil technician for oil, and the heat pump needs its own annual service, which is often a condition of the manufacturer's warranty. Two heat sources mean slightly more maintenance than either a boiler or a heat pump on its own.