The Scottish Government estimates that about 20% of Scotland’s carbon emissions come from heating buildings. To achieve Net Zero by 2045, the sector must be decarbonised, and the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill outlines measures to support this transition.
The bill also reviews Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings, meaning some properties with gas boilers could in future be downgraded compared with homes using low-carbon systems such as heat pumps. However, some independent government advisers have criticised the proposed timetable, suggesting it may be unrealistic.
Heat pumps transfer heat rather than generate it, making them significantly more energy-efficient compared to traditional heating systems. 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 installation costs can be higher, improved efficiency often reduces energy bills over time, and financial incentives may offset some costs. 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.