We share five things worth knowing about decarbonising retail stores

A majority of the world's buildings face an increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. The key priority in a decarbonisation strategy differs between countries and regions, and depends on various building characteristics and use scenarios. Stefan Lay, Product Manager Cooling & Heating, shares his insights and lessons learned from the successful decarbonisation of a known retail store in the UK. His learnings are applicable worldwide as they navigate among the complexities of achieving sustainable building operations, though the end result in terms of actually reduced carbon footprint varies across geographies and with changing building prerequisites.

In the UK, the urgency to decarbonise retail environments is underscored by the British Retail Consortium's (BRC) Climate Action Roadmap, which aims to bring the entire UK retail industry to net-zero emissions by 2040.

According to the roadmap, the retail sector is responsible for 30% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, with a significant portion attributed to energy use in buildings. To meet these ambitious goals, retailers must prioritise energy efficiency, adopt low-carbon technologies and embrace renewable energy sources. This push towards decarbonisation is not just a regulatory requirement but also a strategic opportunity to future-proof operations, reduce costs, and meet the increasing consumer demand for sustainable practices.

Using our experience on recent projects involving the replacement of natural gas boiler solutions with propane (R290) heat pumps, we collated our five practical insights for retailers worldwide who are embarking on their own journeys to net-zero.

1. Selecting a sustainable heating solution is key

Heating and cooling systems are among the largest energy consumers in retail stores, making them prime targets for decarbonisation efforts. Traditional reliance on natural gas boilers is gradually being phased out in favour of more sustainable solutions, such as heat pumps. R290 heat pumps, in particular, stand out due to their extremely low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just 0.021, far exceeding current regulatory limits and ensuring long-term compliance and environmental benefits.

Moreover, with FGAS legislation pushing towards the elimination of all fluorinated refrigerants by 2050, there is an increasing emphasis on adopting technologies that align with these future regulations. By choosing systems that use ultra-low GWP refrigerants like R290, which already exceed the most stringent FGAS requirements, retailers can future-proof their investments and avoid the impending phase-down of high-GWP refrigerants, ensuring both environmental compliance and operational continuity.

2. Optimisation is crucial for maximising efficienc

Installing a heat pump solution is just the first step in the journey toward decarbonising of a retail store. To truly unlock the potential of a new system, ongoing optimisation and maintenance is essential. Gone are the days when a simple thermostat and a few safety controls were sufficient to manage plant operations, often requiring extensive involvement from Building Management System (BMS) engineers to fine-tune building strategies. While BMS engineers still play a role, modern chiller and heat pump technologies have advanced significantly, offering built-in proprietary controls and sophisticated internal logic that allow the systems to manage their own operations and performance more effectively.

Through remote supervision tools like INSIDE Manager from us at Swegon, several rounds of optimisation cycles were conducted by our technicians. These adjustments included changes to the compressor startup and loading strategies, thermoregulation sequence and setpoint control.

For instance, the compressor startup strategy was revised to fully saturate the first compressor before activating the next, improving efficiency during low-load operations. Additionally, the thermoregulation sequence was enhanced with PID NZ logic, leading to more accurate temperature control and better energy savings. These optimisations not only improved temperature stability but also contributed to significant reductions in energy consumption.

3. Decarbonisation yields substantial environmental and economic benefits

The environmental and economic benefits of decarbonising retail stores are substantial. In our experience, a well-optimised heat pump solution can reduce heating carbon emissions by around 65% compared to a modern gas boiler. However, the financial payback of decarbonisation can vary depending on factors such as energy prices and the energy supply mix. While the environmental benefits are clear, the economic benefits, though present, can be more modest in markets where the cost difference between gas and electricity (the ‘spark gap’) is narrower. Our modelling tools allow us to project these savings and explore different scenarios, giving a clear picture of the potential ROI in both environmental and economic terms.

To fully understand the impact of decarbonisation, it’s crucial to assess the Total Equivalent Warming Impact (TEWI) of the current solution. TEWI calculations provide a comprehensive view of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with both the direct release of refrigerants and the indirect emissions from energy consumption. By comparing the TEWI of the existing setup with that of a new, retailers can gain a clear picture of the potential CO2 savings and improved efficiency. Additionally, creating a seasonal heating and cooling profile for a building—based on real-world scenarios like local minimum and maximum ambient temperatures—can inform the decision-making process when selecting new equipment, ensuring it is well-suited to the specific operational needs. This approach not only maximises environmental benefits but also helps optimise operating costs, providing a strong financial incentive for decarbonisation.

4. Data-driven decision-making enhances performance

Data collection and analysis play a critical role in the successful decarbonisation of retail stores. By integrating remote supervision tools like INSIDE Manager, there will be continuous monitoring and optimisation of the heat pump solution. This data-driven approach enables the identification of inefficiencies and the implementation of targeted adjustments to improve performance.

Understanding how a solution performs under varying conditions is key to making informed decisions. Developing a seasonal heating and cooling profile that reflects real-world situations, such as local temperature extremes and specific heating/cooling demands, can greatly enhance the decision-making process when selecting and optimising equipment. By being realistic about how the solution is intended to operate, and by leveraging detailed data from tools like INSIDE Manager, it is possible to ensure that the chosen equipment not only meets current needs but also adapts to future demands. This tailored approach allows for more precise adjustments, leading to reduced energy consumption, lower operational costs, and a more efficient, scalable solution.

5. Partnering with a trusted expert ensures long-term success

Decarbonising retail stores is a complex journey that requires more than just installing new equipment. It demands a strategic approach that includes understanding the current solution, monitoring and measuring performance, and continuously optimising operations. Partnering with an expert who can guide through this process is crucial for long-term success.

For instance, many retail stores already use waterborne chiller systems. There’s often an opportunity to recover waste heat from these systems or to integrate cooling and heating demands into a new, dedicated solution that autonomously manages both. This can significantly maximise energy savings.

Additionally, understanding the age and condition of the current equipment is important. Newer technologies offer greater efficiency and built-in controls that reduce the need for extensive BMS involvement. Further, future-proofing an investment by choosing equipment that meets or exceeds upcoming FGAS regulations is also essential. And finally, ongoing monitoring and optimisation will ensure that systems continue to operate efficiently as demand changes, helping achieve collective decarbonisation goals.

Conclusion

Decarbonising retail stores is not just about meeting regulatory requirements, it is about making strategic decisions that deliver both environmental and economic benefits. From switching to sustainable heating solutions and ongoing optimisation to data-driven decision-making and partnering with a trusted expert, these insights provide a roadmap for successful decarbonisation.

Contact us for further insights about decarbonisation of retail and commercial buildings, get familiar with our Swegon INSIDE services or learn more about decarbonisation in our reference case.