The Scottish Government’s HEETSA (Heat and Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment)and the role technology can play in making it work effectively and fairly
Understanding Scotland’s HEETSA: What It Is and How Tech Can Help Drive Better Building Retrofits
As Scotland races towards its ambitious net zero by 2045 target, one of the biggest challenges lies in reducing emissions from buildings. Buildings account for a substantial proportion of Scotland’s energy use and carbon output, particularly due to heating and inefficient thermal performance. To support this transition, the Scottish Government is developing a new framework called the Heat and Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment (HEETSA) – designed to give building owners clearer, more reliable guidance on which energy efficiency and clean heat measures are right for their properties. Scottish Government
What is HEETSA?
HEETSA is a proposed government-approved technical assessment that goes beyond the standard Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by offering bespoke, building-specific recommendations on energy efficiency and heating systems. Unlike EPCs, which use standardised models and assumptions, HEETSA aims to:
Identify technically suitable and unsuitable retrofit measures for individual buildings
Provide an authorised, quality-assured route for assessment advice
Help owners avoid costly errors like installing measures that could cause damp, mould, or improper performance
Support decision-making with tailored information that reflects each building’s unique characteristics (e.g., construction type, condition, occupancy)
Essentially, HEETSA is envisioned as a next step beyond EPCs that helps homeowners, landlords, and professionals make trusted decisions in a more complex retrofit landscape. Scottish Government
Why HEETSA Matters
Although EPCs have long been central to understanding building efficiency, they have limitations. They are standardised and non-intrusive, meaning they don’t consider actual building condition or occupant behaviour, and can suggest measures that aren’t technically feasible for a specific property. ([Scottish Government][1])
The HEETSA consultation highlights a clear need for higher quality, tailored advice to ensure that retrofit measures deliver real energy savings and don’t harm buildings or residents. With more stringent energy performance standards and legislation being developed through the Heat in Buildings Programme, this kind of robust assessment could become critical for compliance and funding eligibility. Scottish Government
Where Technology Can Make HEETSA Better
For HEETSA to work at scale, technology will be central. Here are key areas where digital tools and innovations can add real value:
1. Digital Building Data Capture
Accurate, detailed data is the foundation of any good assessment. Technologies like:
3D laser scanning and photogrammetry
Thermal imaging
IoT sensors for temperature and humidity
can provide rich, real-time data about building fabric and performance, far beyond what a traditional surveyor could gather manually. This makes suitability assessments more precise and less subjective.
2. Sophisticated Modelling and Simulation
Tech can help assess how different retrofit options will perform over time:
Building performance simulation tools can compare heat loss, energy demand, moisture risks, and comfort outcomes across retrofit scenarios.
Dynamic modelling software (beyond RdSAP and SAP) can account for occupant behaviour and local climate variations – giving tailored insights that reflect real use. Scottish Government
These tools ensure recommendations aren’t just theoretically efficient but fit the actual building context.
3. AI and Machine Learning for Pattern Recognition
AI can quickly identify patterns from large datasets of buildings, retrofit outcomes, and performance indicators – enabling:
Automated heat loss detection from thermal imagery
Learning from past installations to predict success or issues
Faster, smarter recommendations for specific building types
This supports assessors and reduces time spent on repetitive analysis tasks.
4. Online Platforms and Report Dashboards**
Digital delivery of HEETSA reports can significantly improve usability. Online platforms can help:
Visualise tailored retrofit paths
Show cost-benefit analyses and projected carbon savings
Signpost relevant grant schemes and local programmes
Allow homeowners to revisit and explore options over time Energy Saving Trust
Interactive reporting also lets households track progress and engagement, making the assessment process more transparent and empowering.
5. Qualification and Quality Control Tools
To maintain trust, assessors need consistent, high standards. Technology can support:
Online accreditation systems
Digital quality assurance checks
Standardised data formats to ensure interoperability
This ensures HEETSA doesn’t just recommend measures but does so reliably and transparently.
Challenges and Considerations
While digital solutions offer huge promise, they must be deployed thoughtfully:
Data privacy and security must be front of mind when handling sensitive home data.
Tools must be accessible and easy to use, not only for professionals but for households of all technical abilities.
There’s a balance between human expertise and digital automation — tech should enhance, not replace, qualified professional judgement.
Final Thoughts
HEETSA represents a significant step forward in helping Scotland’s buildings become greener, healthier, and more energy efficient. By combining robust methodology, skilled assessors, and the right technology, Scotland can build a retrofit ecosystem that doesn’t just tell people what might work in theory, but what will work in practice for their specific home.
Technology has a vital role to play — from precise data capture and dynamic modelling to AI-driven insights and interactive digital reporting. If implemented well, HEETSA, supported by smart tech, could become a game-changer for retrofit confidence, fuel poverty reduction, and Scotland’s journey to net zero.