The Scottish Government estimates about 20% of Scotland's carbon emissions come from heating buildings. To achieve Net Zero by 2045 there is a need to decarbonise this sector, and they have put forward a ‘Heat in Buildings Bill’ looking at ways to do this.
The bill also reviews current Energy Performance Certificate ratings, so in the future some properties with gas boilers could be downgraded compared to those with climate-friendly systems such as heat pumps.
There has however been some criticism of the timetable for implementation which some independent government advisors believe is unrealistic.
Heat pumps transfer heat rather than generate it, making them significantly more energy-efficient compared to traditional heating systems like furnaces or electric baseboards. For example, they can deliver up to three times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy they consume.
By using renewable energy from the air or ground, heat pumps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions. This makes them a more sustainable option for home climate control.
Although the initial installation cost can be higher, the energy efficiency of heat pumps often leads to reduced utility bills over time. Additionally, many regions offer incentives or rebates for installing heat pumps, further offsetting costs.
Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, eliminating the need for separate systems. This versatility makes them ideal for maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the year. Heat pumps can improve indoor air quality by dehumidifying the air and filtering out dust and allergens.
The use of technology such as heat pumps alongside other renewable energy systems, could help to meet a just transition and alleviate fuel poverty, which affects 31% of households in Scotland currently as we move to Net Zero by 2045.
This section provides examples of a research, teaching or innovation taking place at Robert Gordon University to this topic.
Researchers from the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment study on “Lessons from post-occupancy evaluation and monitoring of the first certified passive house in Scotland”.
This paper describes an investigation carried out to understand the performance in practice of the first certified Passive House in Scotland and associated low or zero carbon technologies.
The Passive House included mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, air to air heat pump and solar thermal hot water heating systems which are in general being encouraged for new build and retrofit.