With an ambitious, legally-binding target to reach net zero by 2045, five years ahead of the rest of the UK, Scotland was a natural choice of location to hold Baxi’s inaugural Solutions Showcase event. Baxi’s Sales team also have a strong presence in the country, providing energy-efficient, low-carbon heating and hot water solutions for new build and retrofit buildings ranging from schools to hospitals to town halls.

Heat is an important topic in Scotland, representing some 13% of the country’s overall greenhouse gas emissions and around 30% of total energy consumption. The event began with Baxi outlining the Scottish Government’s policy framework relating to heat decarbonisation, all aligned with the eventual local climate goal.

Under the Scotland New Build Heat Standard, all new build commercial and residential warrants since April 2024 must be installed with ‘climate friendly heating systems’.[1] This typically involves electrification of heat and heat pumps, or heat networks with any energy source at this present time.

For retrofit, a revised Heat in Buildings bill is expected imminently which will address the need to decarbonise, balanced against the need to reduce fuel poverty for a just and fair energy transition. This will include a target for decarbonising heating systems by 2045.

Alongside the expected provisions in the forthcoming Heat in Buildings Bill, Scottish Government has set targets for the deployment of heat networks. These targets include 2.6 terawatt hours of output by 2027 and 6 terawatt hours by 2030. By 2045, all heat networks are expected to be supplied by low carbon sources.

With the direction of travel for heat clear, the event continued with Baxi showcasing the company’s commercial low carbon solutions, including its Auriga HP+ high temperature air source heat pump (ASHP) range and AquaHeat Heat Interface Units (HIUs), as well as its full support services.

The company also chose Edinburgh as the launch site of its new and improved Quinta Ace series, now available with aluminium and stainless-steel heat exchanger options. Phased hybrid options are seen by many as an achievable early step on the decarbonisation roadmap. Billed as the ‘energy transition boiler’, the new Quinta Ace is hybrid-ready, programmable to work with solar thermal, biomass, buffer tanks and heat pump hybrid control systems for a sustainable, energy efficient solution.

Baxi’s customers also had the chance to see up close the new CHVAC Manager, a hybrid cascade management control for systems featuring gas boilers and ASHPs with automatic switching between the most efficient and/or preferred energy source.

Networking opportunities at the event opened up frank discussions around the successes and barriers associated with decarbonising heat, particularly the challenges of decarbonising heritage buildings in historic Edinburgh. The various solutions that can help drive improved sustainability, notably the role of district heating in reducing emissions from building stock, and the importance of education in upskilling the industry to achieve climate goals were also debated.

The event resonated well with Baxi’s guests.

“A very informative and really enjoyable event. The discussion around the legislation that is coming and the speed at which it is coming was really interesting to hear, not just for Scotland but for the UK as well.” M&E Engineering Design Consultant, Rybka Edinburgh.

“It’s been an eye opener, a very good event and very well laid out.” Merchant Distributor, BSS.

“A really interesting event. It’s always great to know about new technologies coming up, particularly your new heat pumps and heat interface units. It’s always a pleasure to come and speak to you guys as you are the experts about your products. I’ve really enjoyed it.” Surveying and Design Consultant, HK Edinburgh.

Anne Wraith, Head of Product Commercial Sales at Baxi: “As the customer feedback shows, the event was a huge success, bringing together Scottish heating professionals to discuss ways of working collaboratively to progress the transition to cleaner, more efficient heat.

“With our solutions and systems-focused approach, Baxi is a part of the net zero journey, providing support at every stage of the project to help arrive at the best solution in every building. From training courses and pre-contract system design optioneering services to commissioning, expert technical services and aftersales support, our goal is to ensure a high-performing, efficient system that successfully meets all project and regulatory requirements.

“We’re already looking forward to our next Solutions Showcase event!”