Scotland’s First Passivhaus Primary School Achieves Energy Milestone

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

Today, we bring you an inspiring story from Scotland that showcases the strides being made in sustainable architecture and energy efficiency in our schools. Riverside Primary School, Scotland’s first Passivhaus-certified primary school, has recently completed its first-year energy performance assessment, and the results are nothing short of remarkable.

The energy assessment revealed that Riverside Primary School is operating at just 43 kWh/sqm/annum, significantly outperforming the Passivhaus target of 60 kWh/sqm/annum. This impressive figure is a testament to the school’s design and operational strategies, which have consistently provided exceptional comfort levels for its students and staff.

One of the key contributors to this success is the use of Baxi’s Heatrae Sadia point-of-use electric water heaters. These innovative heaters not only provide energy-efficient hot water but also play a crucial role in maintaining the school’s low energy consumption. In a time when energy efficiency is critical, Riverside Primary School stands as a shining example of what can be achieved through thoughtful design and collaboration.

The journey to this achievement began as part of Perth & Kinross Council’s ambitious capital programme, aimed at upgrading and improving schools within the region. This initiative is being carried out in partnership with hub East Central Scotland Limited, which has been instrumental in the project’s success.

To ensure the realisation of this vision, Perth & Kinross Council appointed BakerHicks, a well-respected engineering consultancy based in Motherwell, to provide mechanical and electrical design services. Their expertise was vital in navigating the complexities of the project, particularly as the principal contractor, Robertson Tayside, worked to bring the plans to life.

In Scotland, local authorities face the challenge of funding new educational facilities upfront. The Scottish Government assists through the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), which provides funding based on an outcomes-based approach over a 25-year period. For projects like Riverside Primary School, meeting a clear energy target of 67 kWh/m²/year is essential for securing this funding. If the established energy target isn’t fully met, funding is reduced accordingly, making it imperative that the project delivers on its promises.

David Coulter, an Associate Engineer and Certified Passivhaus Designer at BakerHicks, emphasised the importance of achieving the energy target: “It was absolutely critical to secure Passivhaus accreditation and ensure SFT funding for the Council.”

He elaborated on one of the primary challenges faced during the design phase: the hot water strategy. “We needed to find a solution that would avoid large-scale energy usage and prevent heat losses,” David explained. “Our goal was to explore all-electric point-of-use solutions that would generate energy only when needed, such as during break or lunch times. This is where we reached out to Baxi.”

Point-of-use electric water heaters, like the Baxi’s Heatrae Sadia Multipoint, are particularly efficient for providing immediate access to hot water in facilities such as schools. These heaters come equipped with features like anti-legionella functionality, water pasteurisation, and anti-tamper designs, ensuring that water is stored, cycled, and distributed effectively while maintaining health and safety standards.

The collaboration between Baxi’s technical sales and specification team and David’s team was pivotal in selecting the appropriate Heatrae Sadia water heaters to meet the building’s hot water demands efficiently. David shared, “We had previously used Heatrae Sadia products and were well aware of their reputation for high-quality, robust performance. A significant advantage of these water heaters is their sizing flexibility, which allowed us to avoid oversizing and optimise operational efficiency.”

To gain Passivhaus certification, Riverside Primary School underwent a rigorous quality assurance compliance process, ensuring that all targets were met consistently. “It was an exacting process,” David acknowledged. “We had to provide detailed calculations and evidence regarding the energy values of the selected technologies. Baxi provided invaluable technical support, working closely with us to furnish all necessary information for certification.”

As the recent performance report indicates, Riverside Primary School is not merely meeting expectations—it is exceeding them. The data shows that the school operates with significantly lower energy consumption than initially projected, underscoring the importance of effective energy management and operational performance. David noted, “We are thrilled to see these energy results and are delighted that the building is operating far more efficiently than we anticipated.”

Moreover, the successful implementation of Passivhaus strategies at Riverside Primary School has provided valuable insights for the client team and end users, who have adapted well to the new systems. David views this success as a promising step forward for future projects and building service solutions, noting, “This experience has equipped us with lessons that will inform our approach moving forward.”

Anne Wraith, Head of Commercial Product Sales at Baxi, expressed her pride in the project, stating, “The very low heat losses of our Heatrae Sadia products were integral to the overall success. We are immensely proud to have contributed to this groundbreaking Passivhaus primary school and the outstanding energy results achieved.”

In summary, Riverside Primary School is a remarkable example of how innovative design, effective collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability can lead to impressive achievements in energy efficiency. The project involved a talented team, including Architype as the architect, hub East Central Scotland as the project manager, Robertson Tayside as the principal contractor, and FES in Stirling as the M&E installing contractor.

As we continue to strive for a net-zero future, projects like Riverside Primary School illuminate the path forward, revealing the potential of sustainable practices in our educational facilities. For those interested in learning more about Baxi’s commercial electric heating and hot water solutions, we invite you to explore further.

Let us take inspiration from Riverside Primary School as we champion energy efficiency and sustainability in our communities, paving the way for a brighter, greener future.