Time: Thursday, 14/Aug/2025: 1:40pm - 3:10pm |
Location: Cripple Creek 2 |
This session brings together innovative strategies to reduce carbon emissions and improve material efficiency across building systems. The first presentation examines discrepancies in material quantity and embodied carbon estimations across different modeling approaches in two construction projects, focusing on MEP systems and highlighting the need for consistent methodologies in embodied carbon studies. The second presentation explores the operational carbon performance of Adohi Hall, a mass timber building at the University of Arkansas. Using real-world energy data and life cycle assessment tools, it demonstrates the significant impact of cleaner electricity and combined heat and power (CHP) systems in reducing long-term carbon footprints. The third presentation delves into circular economy practices within HVAC system design and operations, showcasing how modularity, reuse, and recycling can enhance sustainability while identifying key tools, challenges, and opportunities. Together, these presentations offer critical insights and data-driven strategies for advancing low-carbon, resource-efficient building practices.
Circularity in HVAC Systems: From Sustainable Design to Efficient Operations and End-of-Life Management
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, SmithGroup
Circular economy approaches are essential for advancing sustainability and resource efficiency in HVAC systems.This presentation explores how circular concepts such as modularity, reuse, refurbishment, and recycling can be effectively integrated into HVAC system design and operations. Detailed case studies will demonstrate successful applications of circular principles. The role of lifecycle assessments (LCAs) and environmental product declarations (EPDs) as essential tools for evaluating and enhancing circularity will be highlighted. Additionally, the presentation will address existing barriers, uncover opportunities, and outline practical steps to facilitate the widespread adoption of circular economy practices across various HVAC systems and applications, ultimately promoting sustainability within the building sector.
Embodied Carbon Material Quantities: Navigating Uncertainties towards the Truth
McKinstry, United States of America
Determining accurate material quantities is a key challenge in embodied carbon studies. This research analyzes two construction projects, evaluating predicted material quantities and embodied carbon using design, fabrication, and estimating models. The study reveals discrepancies across these models, focusing on piping and sheet metal materials and fittings. It highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each modeling approach and emphasizes the importance of considering different methods when estimating the embodied carbon of MEP systems. The findings underscore the need for reliable and consistent methods to support accurate and sustainable building practices.
LCA operational carbon reduction based on energy strategies analysis in a mass timber building
1University of Arkansas, United States of America; 2USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI 53726, USA
Buildings contribute 28% of global carbon emissions through operations, necessitating sustainable strategies. This study assesses the operational carbon (OC) of Adohi Hall, a mass timber building at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Using 2021-2023 energy and utility data from Facilities Management, a life cycle assessment (LCA) with SimaPro 9 and Ecoinvent v3.7 estimates 4496 kg CO2 eq emissions per square meter over 50 years. Cleaner electricity reduces OC by 17%, while the campus’s combined heat and power (CHP) plant cuts emissions by 21% compared to off-campus buildings. CHP proves effective for OC reduction, filling data gaps on mass timber structures.