One of the key strategies lies in London's path to Net Zero is decarbonising heat. This means moving away from traditional gas boiler-fed systems and embracing cleaner, more efficient alternatives like heat pumps. But while property owners are rushing to retrofit their buildings, many face significant challenges with the existing building infrastructure.

One often-overlooked technique could be a game-changer - pipe freezing.

Decarbonising Heat Sources is the First Step

To hit sustainability targets, many property owners are upgrading their properties to meet high energy efficiency standards. This not only enhances their Environmental Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings, but it also attracts top-tier tenants willing to pay a premium for greener spaces, boosting long-term property value.

Switching from traditional commercial gas boilers to heat pumps offers a range of benefits:

• Improved energy efficiency
• Lower carbon emissions
• Reduced operating and maintenance costs
• Longer lifespan
• Combined heating and cooling
• More consistent heat
• Boosted ESG credentials

These changes are critical to achieving both individual corporate sustainability goals and the broader city-wide Net Zero targets.

But here’s where things can get tricky: to install heat pumps, you often need to rework or replace existing pipework. And that’s where pipe freezing can save the day.

The Challenges of Major Refurbishments

Major refurbishments in commercial properties involve significant alterations to pipework, especially in wet-based mechanical systems. The traditional route? Draining down the entire system to replace or upgrade pipes and valves. But in older buildings, where valves often seize up or fail, draining can be a nightmare.

Picture this: Imagine draining the entire water system of a building as tall as The Shard. Not only would this take a significant amount of time, but it would also disrupt operations in critical buildings like hospitals, data centres, or even partially tenanted offices. That’s simply not an option.

The Environmental and Operational Downsides of Draining

Draining down systems also has a hefty environmental cost. Glycol-based liquids (commonly used in heating and cooling systems) need to be properly disposed of, and the refilling process requires reheating or recooling the system, burning extra energy. Plus, vaporisation of these fluids can pose additional environmental risks.

This is where pipe freezing offers a sustainable and efficient alternative.

Why Pipe Freezing is the Smart Choice

Pipe freezing is a simple, low-impact process that uses liquid nitrogen to create a temporary ice plug inside the pipe, allowing work to be carried out without draining the entire system. Once the work is done, the ice melts away and the system is back up and running—no fuss, no environmental impact, and no wasted time.

Here’s why pipe freezing is better than traditional draining:

• Minimal downtime: Critical systems can stay operational while work is done.
• Eco-friendly: Since liquid nitrogen makes up 78% of the air we breathe, it simply evaporates without harm.
• No waste: No draining means no waste of fluids, and no contamination of public water systems.
• Cost savings: Avoid the time and expense of refilling and reheating systems.
• Tenant comfort: Keep your tenants or building occupants happy by preventing unnecessary disruption.

Next Time You Plan a Retrofit, Think Pipe Freezing

Replacing gas-based heating systems with heat pumps is a major retrofit that comes with major benefits—but the installation doesn’t have to be a logistical headache. Pipe freezing simplifies the process, making it faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly.

So, the next time you’re planning a retrofit, ask yourself: can pipe freezing make this easier? The answer will almost always be ‘yes’.

Don’t let seized valves slow you down. Call the experts at IPS for fast quotes and FREE site surveys to assess the feasibility of pipe freezing for your project.

Call IPS today on 020 8088 5430 to find out how we can help.

 

Case Studies:

IPS carried out pipe freezing at 5 New Street London, as part of the extensive refurbishment

IPS assisted with pipe freezing at Minerva House, London as part of the deep retrofit.

 

Source: UKGBC Building the Case for Net Zero: Retrofitting Office Buildings Jan 2024

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