For minimal disruption and systems which are more affordable, and so likely to be more sellable, I wonder if there needs to be more pragmatism and allow options like hybrid heat pumps, using the kind of add-on heat-pump systems that are used in the Netherlands. 

If you look at the installation details for these, they're pitched as essentially leaving the existing heating and hot water system untouched, installing a small indoor unit next to the boiler and tying it into the central heating flow and return and boiler controls, installing the outdoor unit and some small-bore refrigerant plumbing between the two. Typically these cut gas usage in the 50-80% range, depending on the property, lifestyle etc for what seems minimum disruption and with a much quicker install.

They're not perfect, there's still some gas usage, but they seem a more viable approach to fit out millions of homes than the current heat-pump approach. 

There may be times when that’s necessary, @temperature_gradient, but it won’t get the BUS grant and so won’t be cheaper to the customer. I also think, purely subjectively, that the need for hybrid systems is far lower than most boiler installers would think or lead us to believe.

A point worth considering, though.

Posted by: @majordennisbloodnok

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I also think, purely subjectively, that the need for hybrid systems is far lower than most boiler installers would think or lead us to believe.

A point worth considering, though.

Also it embeds a complex system, almost taking the homeowner down a blind alley.

I must admit to toying with a hybrid, but then coming to my senses.  its just mad to maintain two systems for the same job imho.

I have almost the same view of some hybrid cars.  The ones where the traction is electric and there is a petrol generator I can understand, this has existed in the rail industry for decades.  At least it simplifies the drive train. However some hybrids appear to have the full fossil drive train with an electric motor bolted onto the gearbox.  Really?

Posted by: @jamespa

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However some hybrids appear to have the full fossil drive train with an electric motor bolted onto the gearbox.  Really?

Hoi, hands off my Toyota hybrid. It is a very slick bit of engineering. An Atkinson cycle ICE (now that is a blast from the early days of combustion technology)  and small battery. Traction can be provided by the ICE or the battery or both in varying degrees, the traction battery is charged by the ICE or regeneration. The end result, retire the dirty diesel, still get 60mpg, and no range anxiety in an area not served well by petrol stations let alone charge points. Charge an EV at home? Aye right. No smart meter signal, so no fancy shmancy off peak EV tariffs.  Come back to me when someone builds an affordable EV with a 400 mile range, in the dark, cold, snowy hill roads of a Scottish winter. 

Admittedly I don't get the plugin hybrid which even with their 30/40 mile battery range means lugging two drive trains around. Self charging hybrids make more sense to me.

Posted by: @abernyte

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Hoi, hands off my Toyota hybrid. It is a very slick bit of engineering. 

...

Admittedly I don't get the plugin hybrid which even with their 30/40 mile battery range means lugging two drive trains around. Self charging hybrids make more sense to me.

The Toyota plugin hybrids are very similar to their regular hybrids, same design of drive train but with slightly more powerful motors, and the hybrid battery is larger to provide the extra EV range. There isn't 2 drive trains. It's like a regular hybrid, but with 30 miles electric range when you plugin.

Posted by: @abernyte

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Hoi, hands off my Toyota hybrid. It is a very slick bit of engineering

Alright, I concede that the Toyotas are, as you say a very slick piece of engineering, maybe its a case of original and best.  Some others seem cruder so far as I can tell.

Posted by: @abernyte

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The end result, retire the dirty diesel, still get 60mpg

Thats 10p/mile for fuel, as opposed to less than 2p per mile that I pay.  As an added as a bonus I almost never have to visit a petrol station!

Obviously the practicality of electric cars is currently a bit dependent on use pattern, but my Niro cost 20K (bought a little over 3 years old) and does 300 miles real world in summer, 240-250miles in the depths of winter and 280 miles in the shoulder seasons.  Range anxiety disappears after a while because you know what it will do, trust it to do it and plan accordingly on the occasions that planning is necessary.  I dont even bother with a 'proper' charger, just the granny charger that came with the car + an EV rated 13A socket. 

'We learn from history that we do not learn from history.'
I wonder if someone from marketing or a focus group came up with ZeroDisrup!
You only have to join a few Facebook groups and ask for new pictures of new installations to see some of the issues.
One of the things I am trying to do with TICA is to publish a White Paper as a basis to issue a "call to action" to encourage the Government to support improved thermal insulation. If this is of interest, please message me for a draft copy.

Zero Disrupt could be best innovation yet, & hope for the A2W sector.: We need to install approx 30m heat pumps, the Gov unlikely to fund £200Billion of BUS grant , so getting it to work cheaply with existing installs is critical. Especially changing the HW cylinder, for a cost of £2k to save only £50 a year ( Off peak £20) with a better HW cop is a luxury we can not afford..( & for combi we need a monoblock with built in cylinder) ... Yes an small elite of highly trained installers in needed that do 6 day installs is needed & will make a good living from the complex middle class installs.
But for most people we need installers that serve the broken boiler market . .HG .ZD online quote for my normal terrace house is appox £10k (7.5+2.5) including " installing one new radiator .. £1000 labour" ! Perhaps the whole A2W is luxury wrong turn for the masses ? gov should be funding A2A & drafting the soldiers as helpers for f-gas installers... I would say A2W is actually better than A2A IF the 2040 replacement monoblock was guaranteed to be a direct swap , same base same pipes, installed as easy as new washing machine .

Is the ZD is a bit of a marketing ploy? has the it been pitched high to make the upgrades seem good value & the customer just gets back to a normal HG quote ...