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In previous blog posts (links below), it has been highlighted why embodied carbon requires more attention, and how circularity is increasingly becoming part of the sustainability efforts in HVAC and the building industry. Through the Nordic Circularity Piloting Program, we have tested circular flows in real projects, and our expert, Caroline Jacobsson, Circularity Director at Swegon, shares learnings and reflections on what it takes to move from initial pilots to circular activities on an industrial scale.
One year later: circularity is advancing in HVAC (July 2025)
Focusing on embodied carbon is necessary (April 2024)
The climate benefits of circular practices, reuse in particular, are significant. Reused HVAC products have a 90-95% reduced embodied carbon footprint compared to new. Yet, reuse remains limited in the industry, mainly due to limited availability of previously installed products. Too few products are currently returned to the take-back and refurbishment systems offered by manufacturers like Swegon. This despite strong demand for reused solutions. Key barriers include the additional time, cost and skills required for dismantling, which is not yet part of standard practice. Further, the climate value benefits those who purchase and install the products, not those who dismantle and supply them.
Together with partners across the industry, Vasakronan, Skanska Sweden, Demontera and Lindab, within the Nordic Circularity Piloting Program, we set out to test dismantling of HVAC products for reuse and refurbishment. The pilot project aimed to better understand the barriers and one initial question was: is the added time and cost so significant that scaling dismantling for reuse is not worthwhile?
Piloting the full take-back process
Throughout the pilot project, the full take-back process was examined, from early planning, budgeting and inventory to decisions on reuse, dismantling, logistics, and the final steps of upgrading and quality assurance.
Together with the pilot partners, focus was put on understanding the cost of dismantling compared with the cost of demolition, what competences are missing, how can quality and traceability be ensured, and how are responsibilities and costs to be distributed? These are key factors in determining whether scaling is worth the while.
Initially, the plan was to carry out dismantling as part of a demolition project in Stockholm, and all preparations were completed but, unfortunately, this was later cancelled. A new opportunity emerged, and dismantling of diffusers and air handling units was completed in collaboration with Skanska Sweden and Boulevardfastigheter in a project in southern Sweden. The pilot site, Galleria Boulevard, is being repurposed from retail to education, with a strong focus on reuse.
Outcome
When evaluating the outcome of the pilot, it was evident that several aspects worked out better than expected. Early involvement of installation expertise improved the quality of inventories, clear and visual instructions improved dismantling and close collaboration between property owners, contractors and suppliers reduced unnecessary tension.
It also became clear that the technical capability already exists. Products can be cleaned, upgraded and resold, with warranties as new. Most importantly, the market shows genuine interest in reused HVAC products.
At the same time, some challenges were obvious. Reuse was often introduced too late, roles and responsibilities were not always defined and, in some cases, basic prerequisites were missing, such as early checks for hazardous materials.
When evaluating the additional effort, we found that inventory can be carried out efficiently given the right prerequisites, such as access to drawings. In those cases, the added work was just around 10 minutes per floor. Without drawings, more time was needed on-site, typically a few minutes per room and around 15 minutes per air handling unit.
The added time required for dismantling and packaging, compared to demolition, proved to be minimal: close to zero for air handling units and just a few minutes per room product such as diffusers and silencers.
Most importantly, the pilot proved that dismantling instead of demolition does not necessarily increase cost, provided it is planned for at an early stage. If it is proposed at a later stage, once subcontractors are already assigned, it can become costly.
Recommendations for business model and responsibilities
The piloting project provided many answers, and one conclusion is that reuse is primarily not a technical challenge, it is a question of business model and industry practices.
If circular HVAC is to be scaled, the following needs to happen:
- Start earlier and define reuse requirements before procurement
- Clarify roles across property owners, contractors, installers and suppliers
- Adjust incentives from favouring new purchases to instead prioritising reused materials
- Recognise dismantling as part of the value chain
In short, circular practices need to be built into existing project structures, rather than be treated as exceptions.
Scaling from pilot to standard practice
Looking ahead, this pilot showed that there is a growing role for supplier-led flows, where products are taken back, upgraded, quality-assured and returned to the market for a second life through their original manufacturer. At that point, reused products can be selected as easily as new ones and be integrated into existing project structures.
However, whether scaling will be possible depends on incentives. Today, dismantling is often assumed to add cost without a clear value stream. At the same time, the pilot showed that this is not necessarily the case. When planned for from the outsets of the project, dismantling and reuse can be implemented with little or no additional cost. Going forward, this perspective may need to be better reflected in business and project logic, especially since reused products generally deliver similar performance as new, and often with full warranties.
Last but not least, dismantling and reinstalling must be treated as separate flows. Dismantling products for reuse is not demolition, and matching dismantled products directly to a project is rarely feasible. The process requires careful dismantling, and suppliers need to be involved in stock-keeping and matching products with projects.
With this said, circular flows can become a natural part of how HVAC solutions are managed, but getting there requires a shift in industry practices. Which, in turn, would open the doors to industrial-scale reuse of previously installed HVAC products.
At Swegon we continue to expand our RE:3 concept under which our RE:use activities are clear. We are ready to take a leading role in supplier-lead flows, and scale reuse of HVAC products.
