Less is More

Building services through a whole life carbon lens

25th of May 2023

Introduction

Ann Dalzell Stephen Hill Maria Benazzo Sarah Bousquet Rowan Bell-Bentley
Director Associate director Mechanical engineer Public health engineer Mechanical engineer
The journey from operational to whole-life
Stephen Hill
Rise and rise of net zero carbon
Journey from Compliance to Performance

2016 2020 2022

2013 2018 2021 2023

The embodied elephant in the room
 From operational to whole life carbon

Disposal
Demolition and
Refurbishment
Replacement and
Construction
products and
Processes Operation Operation Material Re-use
Whole Life Carbon Emissions
Carbon Offset
Changing the rules
Understanding the whole life carbon balance
Where we need to go

• Transparency: how do we measure (and when)?

• Accuracy: understanding unknowns
• Optimising: whole life decision-making
…significant investment in understanding the embodied carbon of
building services and assessing design options with the lowest impact…
Two Languages
Capturing circular economy carbon
Lifecycle Carbon Breakdown
400

350

300

250
kgCO2/m2GIA

200

150

100

50

0
material reclaim demolition Construction Use & Maintenance Energy & Water demolition
-50

Excluded A B C

= Total Whole Life Carbon Impact

The new rules:

(Sometimes) less is more

Embodied and whole life carbon insights
Sarah Bousquet, Rowan Bell-Bentley, Maria Benazzo
What is whole life carbon?

Whole life carbon (WLC)

Operational carbon (OC) Embodied carbon (EC)

Power heating cooling water Manufacturing Transport Construction Maintenance & End-of-life
Replacement
Whole life carbon stages and scopes

Adapted from BS EN 15978

Embodied carbon stages

Icons from CIBSE TM65

Where is the carbon in buildings?
Estimated distribution of carbon Whole life carbon emissions
emissions per life cycle stage

From WBCSD Net-Zero Buildings

Where do we stand?
 Contribution of services to embodied carbon
We can’t ignore them!

A-C embodied carbon for new build offices, based on a range of Arup LCAs
0 Demolition
A-C Embodied Carbon (kgCO2e/m2 GIA)

0 Facilitating Works

1 Substructure

2 Superstructure - Frame

2 Superstructure - Facade

2 Internal walls and doors

3 Finishes

4 FF&E

5 Services
8 External works
Contribution of services to embodied carbon
Upfront vs whole life scope

A1-A5 Upfront EC average A-C Whole Life EC average

distribution per building element distribution per building element
(across 6 case studies) (across 6 case studies)

18% 32%

Services
From WBCSD Net-Zero Buildings
Where do we stand?
Replacement cycles
Services are replaced multiple times throughout building lifespan
Where are we heading?
2030 is today

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

Key messages

1. Whole life carbon must be a key metric for decision-making

2. Distribution must be considered
3. Refrigerants are impactful
4. We need more data on supply chains and buildings in operation
1. Whole life carbon must be a key
metric for decision-making
WLC workflow to assess and compare options
Whole life carbon balance point

Whole-life

Embodied

Operational

Adapted from WBCSD Net-Zero Buildings

Halving Construction Emissions Now
 Case study – Commercial new build
Space conditioning strategies – Operational carbon comparison

3,500

3,000

Low OC options
Operational Carbon Emissions (tCO2e)

2,500

2,000

1,500 Operational Carbon

1,000

500

0
Fan Coil Units Chilled Ceilings Passive Chilled Beams Active Chilled Beams
 Case study – Commercial new build
Space conditioning strategies – Whole life carbon comparison

8,000

Highest WLC option

7,000
A-C Whole Life Carbon Emissions (tCO2e)

6,000

5,000

Embodied Carbon A-C

4,000
Operational Carbon

3,000

2,000

1,000

0
Fan Coil Units Chilled Ceilings Passive Chilled Beams Active Chilled Beams
Case study – Residential new build
Centralised vs decentralised heat pumps – WLC comparison
6,000
5538

5,000

A-C Whole Life Carbon Emissions (tCO2e)

EC: HIU
4,000
EC: Insulated
Pipework
3054
3,000 EC: WSHP

OC
2,000

1,000

0
Case study: Residential building with17 floors and 136 apartments in total
In-flat
In-flat Centralised
WSP Centralised WSP
 Case study – Residential new build
Sensitivity analysis on embodied carbon of various WSHP solutions (incl distribution and ancillary equipment)

300

WSHP 1 - Centralised
264.6 kW
250 1848 kg
Charge: 31 kg
A-C Embodied Carbon Emissions (tCO2e)

Ref: R1234ze (GWP: 7)

200 WSHP 2 - Centralised

139.4 kW
1x WSHP 1 1x WSHP 1 415 kg
1x WSHP 1 1x WSHP 1 1x WSHP 1 Charge: 27.88 kg
1x WSHP 2 1x WSHP 2
1x WSHP 2 1x WSHP 2 1x WSHP 2 Ref: R134a (GWP: 1430)
150 2x WSHP 3 3x WSHP 3
1x WSHP 3 1x WSHP 3 1x WSHP 3 7x WSHP 4 14x WSHP 4 WSHP 3 - Centralised
1x WSHP 4 2x WSHP 4 4x WSHP 4
40 kW
359 kg
100 Charge: 8 kg
Ref: R454C (GWP: 148)

WSHP 4 - In flat
6 kW
50
222 kg
Charge: 1.7 kg
Ref: R32 (GWP: 675)

-
1 2 4 7 14
Number of flats
 Whole life carbon must be a key metric for decision-making
Opportunities for transformational change

Use WLC throughout

OPERATIONAL CARBON

the design to minimise

emissions
Sources of Carbon

EMBODIED CARBON

Towards Zero Carbon From Arup Net Zero Carbon Buildings:

Three Steps to Take Now
2. Distribution must be considered
 Distribution: ~25-70kgCO2e/m2
depending on services density
Distribution systems
Based on 6 commercial buildings, excluding cabling

Ladder Refrigerant pipework and insulation

Trunking
27% Ductwork and supports
Basket 3%

Cable
11%
tray

Drainage
pipework
Heating
pipework

Chilled water 31% Ductwork insulation

pipework
From WBCSD Net-Zero Buildings
Halving Construction Emissions Now
Distribution must be considered
Opportunities for transformational change

• Reduce need for distribution

• Ensure distribution routes are efficient
• Avoid oversizing and challenge outdated
sizing guidance
• Specify low embodied carbon materials
such as textile or cardboard ductwork
• Specify materials with a high recycled
content
• Design for deconstruction to enable reuse
and recycling at end of life
GatorDuct – Manser Saxon
3. Refrigerants are impactful
Leakage risk throughout product lifespan
Refrigerant leakage can
represent 15% of whole
building A-C EC emissions

In-use and end-of life

leakage accounted for in
EC assessments
following CIBSE TM65,
in stages B1 and C1

From Elementa Refrigerants and Environmental Impacts

A Best Practice Guide
Case study – Commercial retrofit
VRF vs heat pump
VRF Heat pump

Diagram

Number of units 17 No, 350 kg each 3No, 2120 kg each

Refrigerant (GWP) R410A (2088) R410A (2088)
Total refrigerant charge 762 kg 181 kg
Leakage risk High (typically high Low (sealed units are
distribution length) precharged)
Annual leakage rate 6% 2%
Pictures from Elementa Refrigerants and
End of life recovery rate 97% 99% Environmental Impacts
A Best Practice Guide
VRF vs Heat Pump
Product and Construction: A1-A5 only

160

139 tCO2e
A1-A5 Embodied Carbon Emissions (tCO2e)

140
Condenser units

120 Branch boxes

On-floor pipework
100
On-floor pipework insulation
80
62 tCO2e Riser pipework
60
Riser pipework insulation

40 Heat pumps

Pumps
20

0
VRF Heat Pump 1
VRF Heat pump
VRF vs Heat Pump
Product and Construction + Refrigerant leakage: A1-A5, B1 + C1

1,600
1,496 tCO2e
A1-A5, B1 & C1 Embodied Carbon Emissions (tCO2e)

1,400 Condenser units

Branch boxes
1,200
On-floor pipework
1,000
On-floor pipework insulation

800 Riser pipework

Riser pipework insulation

600
Heat pumps
400 Pumps
254 tCO2e
Refrigerant
200

0
VRF Heat Pump 1
VRF Heat pump
 Pictures from Elementa Refrigerants and Environmental Impacts
A Best Practice Guide

Case study – Commercial retrofit

Heat pump comparison
VRF Heat pump – High GWP Heat pump – Low GWP

Diagram

Number of units 17 No, 350 kg each 3No, 2120 kg each 3No, 2000 kg each
Refrigerant (GWP) R410A (2088) R410A (2088) R454B (467)
Total refrigerant charge 762 kg 181 kg 144 kg
Leakage risk High (typically high Low (sealed units are Low (sealed units are
distribution length) precharged) precharged)
Annual leakage rate 6% 2% 2%
End of life recovery rate 97% 99% 99%
 Heat pump comparison
Product and Construction + Refrigerant leakage: A1-A5, B1 + C1

300

A1-A5, B1 & C1 Embodied Carbon Emissions (tCO2e)

254 tCO2e
250

Product and Construction: A1-A5 only 200

A1-A5 Embodied Carbon Emissions (tCO2e)

160
158 tCO2e
139 tCO2e 137 tCO2e 150
140
120
100 100
80
60
50
40
20
0 0
Heat Pump
Heat pump1 Heat Pump 2 Heat pump
Heat Pump 1 Heat Pump
Heat 2
pump
Heat pump
High GWP Low GWP High GWP Low GWP
Refrigerants are impactful
Opportunities for transformational change

ALWAYS ASSESS
REFRIGERANT
IMPACT

Adapted from Elementa Refrigerants and Environmental Impacts

A Best Practice Guide
4. We need more data
 Adapted from Arup Net Zero Carbon Buildings:
Three Steps to Take Now

We need more data

Disposal
Demolition and
Refurbishment
Replacement and
Construction
products and
Processes Operation Operation Material Re-use
Whole Life Carbon Emissions

TIME

Client / Developer
Carbon Offset

Designer
Contractor FROM
Manufacturer SUPPLY CHAINS &
CONSTRUCTION
Occupier
Operator / FM FROM
BUILDING OPERATION
Complex products, lack of consistent information

Environmental Product Product Environmental CIBSE TM65

Declarations (EPD) Profile (PEP) Form
Calculation challenges & opportunities
Challenges Related WLC Stages Calculation Inputs Opportunities

Refrigerant manufacturing emissions • Currently excluded from • Manufacturer engagement to obtain A1 carbon factor for refrigerant
• A1-A3 - Product
not accounted for scope production

Unknown makeup of products due to • A1 - Raw material

• Material breakdown • Manufacturer engagement using CIBSE TM65 form, EPDs or PEPs
product complexity supply
• A1 - Raw material • Material carbon factors
Unknown origin of materials due to • Manufacturer engagement using CIBSE TM65 form, EPDs or PEPs
supply • Material transport distance
complex supply chains
• A2 - Material transport and mode
Limited or partial reporting from • Energy used in • Manipulation of data extracted from PEP (PERE, PENRE)
manufacturers on energy used in • A3 - Manufacturing manufacturing • Industry to reach consistency around reporting to account for all
manufacturing • Energy carbon factor processes from raw material to assembly
Limited understanding of site emissions • A5 - Construction and • Construction waste • Collaboration with contractors to better understand site waste and
for individual systems/products. installation • Site emissions installation processes

Refrigerant leakage scenarios, • Annual refrigerant leakage • Collaboration with FM teams to understand real life leakage rates
• B1 - Refrigerant use
probability of catastrophic failure rate and contributing factors

• B2 - Maintenance • Maintenance emissions • Collaboration with FM teams to understand realistic equipment

Limited data about in use activities such
• B3 - Repair • Number of replacement lifespans, typical maintenance regimes and extent of repairs
as maintenance, repair, replacement and
• B4 - Replacement cycles • Collaboration with manufacturers and contractors to understand
refurbishment.
• B5 - Refurbishment • Refurbishment emissions refurbishment process in more detail
• End of life refrigerant
• C1 - Deconstruction and
recovery rate • Collaboration with contractors to understand how products are
End of life resource management demolition
• Site emissions managed at the end of life and the extent that is recycled or reused.
• C3 - Waste processing
• Waste processing rate
Uncertainty around the decarbonisation • Industry to develop decarbonisation trajectories to be used alongside
• A-C (including
trajectories of related industries: • Decarbonisation scenarios grid decarbonisation trajectories adopted for operational carbon
operational energy)
manufacturing, transport, energy, landfill predictions
Lifespan impact
A-C Embodied carbon impact of 188kW ASHP (Refrigerant R454B), based on 60 years RSP

140
C4 Disposal

120 C3 Waste processing

13 % 26 % 39 % 52 %
C2 Material transport
100
C1 Deconstruction and Demolition

80 B5 Refurbishment
t CO2e

B4 Replacement
60
B3 Repair

B2 Maintenance
40

B1 Refrigerant Use

20
A5 Construction and installation

A4 Product Transport
0
10 years 12 years 15 years 20 years 30 years
A1-A3 Product
(5 replacement) (4 replacement) (3 replacements) (2 replacements) (1 replacement)
ASHP Service Life
Extending the life of products
1 Finsbury Avenue – commercial retrofit
Central plant and distribution retained where possible, including
distribution pipework, some AHUs, cooling towers, chillers and
historic façade heating system
90% of central plant was able to be refurbished or retained, in
part due to good maintenance throughout its life.
1 Triton Square – commercial retrofit
1 Triton Square refurbished 3,000 square metres of façade,
rather than replacing.
This approach alone saved over 19,000 tons of carbon and
represented a 66% cost saving when compared to a new façade.
The option to retain facades should be assessed in terms of whole life carbon,
taking into account possible impacts on operational energy.
Conclusion
Creating systems change

Estimate Estimate
emissions emissions at
at design construction
stage stage

at project scale
Improve Gain
practices
Minimise insights AND at industry
emissions scale

Share and
Set targets
report

Feed into
benchmarks
Importance of the feedback loop

Improved understanding
leads to greater influence
Accuracy of assessment
through better information on
quantities and products
installed

Project & industry

feedback loop
Opportunity to influence
carbon reduction

Design stage
Improving reporting granularity
Building services:
1 RICS category Heating and cooling
14 building elements
8+ disciplines

Commercial case study

From WBCSD Net-Zero Buildings
Halving Construction Emissions Now
 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

• Whole life carbon analysis needs to become BAU on all projects

• There is an opportunity to improve our understanding through more
collaborative research
• Data collection and sharing is essential to fill the gaps across the industry
Questions