Environmental life cycle assessment of heating systems in the UK: Comparative assessment of hybrid heat pumps vs. condensing gas boilers

Residential space heating is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and hence a priority sector decarbonise in transition Net Zero target by 2050 UK. To assess environmental impacts current system potential alternatives UK, this study conducted comparative LCA condensing boiler hybrid pump for common type UK’s existing houses (a semi-detached house). The functional unit defined as delivering whole lifetime (20 years) system. results suggest that heat potentially saves 30% GHG compared core scenarios (4.5E + 04 kg CO2-eq/FU vs 6.4 E respectively). also shows 13% 48% emission reduction terrestrial acidification, photochemical oxidant formation, particulate matter formation fossil depletion. However, emits 3 6 times more terms human toxicity, water depletion metal than boiler. production phase contributes around 50% impact toxicity both scenarios, while use dominates other selected categories. combustion natural electricity are causes dominance all categories excepting toxicity. sensitivity support robustness results. Further work needed understand role pumps can play residential decarbonisation under different uptake, household behaviour wider UK energy decarbonisation.