Baxi - Experts & Thought Leaders

A whitepaper exploring the policy landscape around hybrid heat pump systems has been launched to provide a series of key findings that inform a recommended rollout of the technology in the UK. Global manufacturer of heating and hot water solutions - Baxi commissioned Gemserv (a Talan Company) to research and produce the report – entitled Unlocking the Power of Heat Pumps with Hybrid Installations – which was launched at an event in Westminster this week. heat pumps in hybrid configuration Exploring the suitability of heat pumps deployed in a hybrid configuration with new or existing gas boilers for UK homes, the paper highlights a series of policy recommendations designed to help accelerate heat decarbonization. These include consideration for eligibility under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, better representation of hybrid systems’ carbon-saving benefits under the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, and a rebalancing of electricity prices to help reduce running costs. Warm Homes Plan Baxi has commissioned the report to demonstrate how hybrid systems could be a key transitional technology The launch follows the announcement of the government’s Warm Homes Plan, which saw increased funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and a reformed Clean Heat Market Mechanism as part of plans to increase the uptake of heat pumps in the UK. Building on the ambition of the Government to progress heat decarbonization, Baxi has commissioned the report to demonstrate how hybrid systems could be a key transitional technology to clean heat. Clean Energy Superpower Jeff House, External Affairs and Policy Director at Baxi, explains, "There has been no shortage of ambition to decarbonize heat in the UK, as demonstrated through the Government’s commitment to making Britain a Clean Energy Superpower and the additional support provided through the Warm Homes Plan." He adds, "However, we wanted to commission this report to demonstrate that there is a real missed opportunity when it comes to including hybrid systems within these policies." decarbonized heat Jeff House continues, "While heat pumps, whether deployed individually or at the heart of heat networks, will be one of the key mass-market drivers of decarbonized heat, we have a responsibility to ensure a balanced and equitable transition in line with consumer needs." He further states, "A hybrid system offers advantages as a transitional technology, not only in terms of overcoming some technical barriers to make them more cost-effective in difficult to decarbonize homes, but also for energy system flexibility and resilience." incentivizing the installation Following extensive deployment in the Netherlands, the state was considering whether to mandate hybrid systems The report also highlights learnings from the rest of Europe, including countries that are incentivizing the installation of hybrid systems as a transition technology. For example, following extensive deployment in the Netherlands, the state was considering whether to mandate hybrid systems as the minimum requirement for all retrofit installations. Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Clean Heat Market Mechanism Jeff House continues, "By including hybrids in more incentives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Clean Heat Market Mechanism, we can expect to see the same spikes in uptake that there have been in Europe. Add to the addressing of the gap between electricity and gas prices for householders and we could well see uptake for clean heat technologies accelerate at the rate we need it to." The exclusive launch event, which took place on 28th November in Westminster, included an in-depth panel discussion on hybrid systems with industry experts from Gemserv, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the Heat Pump Association, and Passiv UK.

Baxi, a pioneering manufacturer of heating and hot water solutions, has published its 2024 Installer Skills Survey, revealing that attitudes of heating engineers towards low-carbon heating are hard to shift, contributing to the slow growth in UK heat pump adoption. The survey, conducted in partnership with green supply chain consultancy Gemserv, examines the appetite and confidence of heating engineers to support households in their transition to clean heat technologies. It also reflects the future pace of change in the installer community. Natural gas boilers Consumers often rely on a heating engineer’s expertise when deciding on heating options In the UK, around 18% of all carbon emissions comes from home heating, with around 85% of homes using natural gas boilers.  As consumers often rely on a heating engineer’s expertise when deciding on heating options for their home, installers play an influential role in the decision to move away from natural gas boilers towards low-carbon alternatives, such as heat pumps.  Government policies and consumer demands As such, the survey is an important indicator of the readiness of heating engineers to adopt and promote heat pumps in the context of evolving government policies and consumer demands. Over 300 installers took part in the survey, conducted in August 2024. Although this year’s survey reveals more positive sentiment towards heat pumps compared to the first edition in 2022, it’s clear that many installers still lack the training, knowledge and incentive to help homeowners begin their transition away from gas boilers. Heat pump installation Just 9% of installers say they are fitting heat pumps. This is up from 3% in 2022 and 7% in 2023 Just 9% of installers say they are fitting heat pumps. This is up from 3% in 2022 and 7% in 2023. Sentiment towards heat pump installation in the future looks weak, with half of installers saying they are “somewhat” or “extremely unlikely” to start fitting heat pumps in the next three years. This compares to 46% in 2022 and even less confidence - 53% - in 2023. There is more enthusiasm for hybrid systems – where a heat pump is combined with a gas boiler – with 30% of installers showing interest. Installer Skills Survey Government schemes, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), are met with frustration in the survey, due to perceived complexity, excessive paperwork and lack of consumer awareness. Only 9% of installers rate government schemes as ‘’good’’ or ‘’excellent’’ and 42% say customers never mention the BUS.   A lack of confidence to promote and install low-carbon heating technologies has been a feature of the Installer Skills Survey since it began in 2022. This year, there is a slight improvement, with 11% of installers saying they are ‘extremely confident’ in discussing low-carbon technologies (up from 7% in 2023) and 35% ‘moderately confident’. This indicates that while training opportunities and industry communication are having a positive effect, many installers still lack the expertise to fully promote and install low-carbon heating technologies. Transition to low-carbon heating The lack of consumer demand for heat pumps further contributes to installers’ low engagement Practical training is key to building confidence, with 34% of respondents indicating a preference for hands-on learning. The perceived high cost of training, along with the complexities of MCS accreditation, are an ongoing obstacle to learning. The lack of consumer demand for heat pumps further contributes to installers’ low engagement. Without strong consumer interest, installers continue to feel hesitant about making the transition to low-carbon heating, including investing in training. In the 2024 survey, only 3% of installers say customers always ask about low-carbon heating. Embrace new technologies A recurring theme in all three surveys has been a generational divide among installers, with those nearing retirement less inclined to invest in training.  As more new installers enter the industry, it’s expected that more will be willing to embrace new technologies. However, the transition will require further intervention from both government and industry to create a more supportive environment.  Baxi Solutions Academy Baxi shared the findings of the survey at an event held at the Baxi Solutions Academy in Warwick Baxi shared the findings of the survey at an event held at the Baxi Solutions Academy in Warwick on 24 September. Invited industry stakeholders shared their perspectives on the role of skills in the energy transition, and the critical dependencies that consumers, the supply chain, and the government have on installers to make the clean heat transition happen. Ian Trott, Baxi’s Head of UK Training says, “While the 2024 survey shows some positive developments, particularly regarding hybrid systems, many of the challenges highlighted by previous surveys, such as insufficient training, poor government support, low consumer demand, haven’t moved on." Low-carbon heating technologies Trott added: "The transition to low-carbon heating will require more targeted interventions to support installers in overcoming these barriers.” James Higgins, Partner, Low Carbon at Gemserv, says: “The 2024 installer survey shows incremental progress in attitudes towards low-carbon heating technologies among installers, but as the industry moves forward, increased financial support, streamlined training opportunities, and efforts to raise consumer awareness will be crucial to achieving heat decarbonization.’’

Baxi has launched a complete end-to-end range of products and services, including new AquaHeat heat interface units (HIUs), to provide a single point of contact for customers involved in heat network projects. From carrying out initial feasibility and design studies to supplying prefabricated centralized energy centers and HIUs to driving efficient system maintenance and system optimization, Baxi offers total customer support at every stage.  Heat networks Heat networks are an important part of the drive to decarbonize heat and hot water services in residential and commercial buildings. The government has a target to supply 20% of heat in buildings from heat networks by 2050, up from 2-3%.  Through the Heat Network Transformation Program, which includes initiatives, such as Heat Network Zoning and tighter industry regulations, it is ensuring that high-performance, low-carbon heat networks can contribute towards reaching net zero. UK new build and renovation projects Baxi is offering a raft of services to support customers with the correct implementation With heat networks set to be implemented across a growing number of UK new build and renovation projects, Baxi is offering a raft of services to support customers with the correct implementation.  Perfect for use in new build or retrofit multiple occupancy buildings, campus heating systems, and district heat networks, Baxi’s comprehensive heat network solutions and services will support residential, public sector, and commercial property developers and building owners in delivering low-carbon buildings. Baxi Packaged Solutions At the heart of Baxi’s heat network proposition is Baxi Packaged Solutions. Established prefabrication specialists, the business excels in designing and manufacturing pre-packaged plant rooms for centralized energy centers, as well as prefabricated utility cupboards for use in individual dwellings within the property. These typically use heating and hot water solutions from Baxi’s respected brands including Remeha and Heatrae Sadia as well as heat pumps from the wider BDR Thermea Group manufacturing facilities in Europe. Baxi’s heat network service As part of its heat network range, which includes thermal substations, Baxi is also launching AquaHeat, a new heat interface unit (HIU) for use in multiple occupancy projects such as apartments. The twin-plate HIUs are available in two outputs and can deliver indirect space heating and Domestic Hot Water (DHW) for new build and older homes. An indirect heat-only model is also available for use in commercial premises.  Baxi’s heat network service is further enhanced by the UK launch of Mercurius Connected – a digital innovation developed and already available in Europe – that will be able to remotely monitor, troubleshoot and optimize the HIUs. Baxi’s Integrated Thermal Solutions unit  Baxi is also drawing on expertise and experience from its parent company BDR Thermea Baxi is also drawing on expertise and experience from its parent company BDR Thermea, which acquired heat network specialist, Fortes Energy Systems, the market pioneer in manufacturing and supplying HIUs and thermal substations in northern Europe, last year. Baxi’s Integrated Thermal Solutions unit – headed up by Sales Director and heat networks advocate Stephen Hart – provides customers with feasibility studies and system design before installation, in addition to training, remote and onsite commissioning and ongoing service support. challenge of decarbonizing heat Stephen Hart said: "It is clear that heat networks will be one of the key routes to decarbonization. Listening to our customers, it is equally evident that having a single point of contact will help them with the challenge of decarbonizing heat and delivering low-carbon buildings." He adds, "By offering an end-to-end heat network solutions service backed with expert advice – from design to after-sales support – we can make the process simple, straightforward and successful for our customers."

The energy transition is upon us and we are shifting today’s energy use to low and zero carbon sources. The way in which we heat and provide hot water to our homes and businesses will change, and we are developing technologies that will support this transition. A bold and pragmatic policy framework will encourage investment and drive change. BEIS Hydrogen Strategy We, therefore, welcome the publication of the Hydrogen Strategy from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This important document details the role and vision for clean hydrogen deployment at scale, in the United Kingdom, building upon the ambitions in last year’s 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. As an energy carrier, hydrogen has many uses that will help to decarbonize heating, transport and industry. We, therefore, welcome the government’s assurance to the public that hydrogen can be made as safe as natural gas. UK Government’s Contract for Difference The availability of low-cost hydrogen at scale is a key enabler of the deployment of hydrogen for heat Alongside the BEIS Strategy, the UK Government is publishing its proposed business model for supporting hydrogen production, in the form of a Contract for Difference. This approach has been utilized successfully for offshore wind and will enable the sector to invest in early-stage projects, and reduce the cost of hydrogen. The availability of low-cost hydrogen at scale is a key enabler of the deployment of hydrogen for heat. We believe, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution, and a whole range of heating technologies will need to be deployed for a range of properties. Baxi Heating, as part of BDR Thermea Group, is at the forefront of developing clean heating solutions, including our ground-breaking development of hydrogen boilers. Hydrogen-ready boilers from 2025 Our work with the Hy4Heat project and associated demonstration sites in the UK show technical feasibility of this solution. We believe the government should act upon advice from the Climate Change Committee and other sources advocating a mandate that all boiler sales from 2025 should be hydrogen-ready, in order to help pre-populate a swathe of the housing stock, ready for a future conversion. Technology, energy efficiency and business models are all bit parts in the wider picture. Skilled installers and contractors will be utterly essential to success, so we are glad to see the announcement of a hydrogen sector development action plan in early 2022, setting out how the government will support companies to secure supply chain opportunities, skills and jobs in hydrogen. UK Heat and Buildings Strategy Following the Hydrogen Strategy, we look forward to several important publications in the lead up to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), including consultations on the role for hydrogen-ready appliances, off gas grid heating measures and the UK Heat and Buildings Strategy.