Buderus hybrid heating systems combine heat pumps and gas boilers

The discussion about climate-friendly heating is often reduced to simple opposites: heat pump or fossil fuel boiler, electric or gas-based, new or old. In practice, the situation is more complex, especially in existing buildings. This is exactly where hybrid heating systems come in, intelligently combining different heat generators.

With its approach, Buderus shows how existing technology can be gradually transitioned to an electrified future without losing sight of economic efficiency and security of supply. The Wetzlar-based company has been established in the heating market for many decades. Today's focus is clearly on electrification, efficiency and CO₂ reduction. This does not involve the abrupt replacement of functioning systems, but rather a combination of proven technology and new heat pump solutions that can be flexibly adapted to different types of buildings.

Hybrid systems as a bridge between existing buildings and the energy transition

The focus is on combining a conventional heat generator, such as a floor-standing or wall-mounted gas boiler, with an outdoor heat pump unit. A heat pump using the natural refrigerant propane is used, designed for output ranges in the double-digit kilowatt segment. This combination makes it possible to specifically exploit the advantages of both technologies. The heat pump takes over efficient base load operation, while the gas boiler provides support when higher heat demand arises. This means that the heat pump unit can be smaller in size and operates continuously in a favourable efficiency range. Especially in cold winter periods, the additional heat generator ensures that high flow temperatures are reliably provided without pushing the heat pump to its limits.

Logaflow hydraulic box as the central link

The Logaflow hydraulic box plays a central role, acting as the connecting element between the outdoor unit and the boiler. It brings together the hydraulics and control system for the entire system. It ensures that both heat generators work together rather than side by side. The control system decides which energy source to use in which situation, optimising consumption and costs. This close control coupling is a decisive difference to many other hybrid solutions on the market. Instead of a purely parallel installation, a coordinated overall system is created that dynamically controls energy use. For operators, this means a system that automatically adapts to changing conditions without manual intervention or complicated settings.

Efficiency, costs and legal requirements at a glance

A key advantage of this system architecture is that it complies with current legal requirements. The high proportion of renewable energy from the heat pump means that requirements such as the prescribed minimum proportion of renewable energies in the building sector can be met. At the same time, the investment remains manageable, as existing components can continue to be used. This approach is also relevant from an economic perspective. The combination of lower initial investment and optimised operation has a positive effect on the total cost of ownership. The heat pump runs predominantly in an efficient range, while the gas boiler kicks in when it makes sense from an energy or economic point of view. This results in a favourable total cost of ownership over the entire service life of the system.

Why hybrid heating systems make sense for many buildings

In existing buildings in particular, the conditions are often far from ideal for heat pumps. Old radiators, limited installation space or inadequate insulation pose challenges. Hybrid systems offer a realistic solution here because they take technical constraints into account without compromising on efficiency. Typical advantages of these systems include:

• Flexible adaptation to different building structures
• Reduced heat pump output thanks to boiler support
• High operational reliability even at low outside temperatures
• Compliance with legal requirements without complete renovation

Electrification with a sense of proportion

The electrification of heat supply is a central goal of the energy transition. Buderus is pursuing an approach that brings together technical reality and political objectives. Instead of radical solutions, the focus is on systems that can be integrated into existing structures and still make a clear contribution to CO₂ reduction. The combination of a heat pump, intelligent hydraulics and a conventional heat generator shows that efficiency does not necessarily have to mean sacrifice. Instead, the result is a system that is economical, reliable and future-proof. For many buildings, this approach is likely to be the decisive step towards climate-friendly heat supply.