Tong, Yikang; Fennell, Pamela; Ballantyne, John R; (2024) Refurbishment and Retrofit of Churches – A Case Study of Ayr St Columba Church. In: Proceedings of the CIBSE Technical Symposium 2024. CIBSE: Cardiff, UK.

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Abstract

In 2019, Scotland was one of the first nations to declare a climate emergency and has since set an ambitious target to become ' Net Zero ' by 2045. The Church of Scotland has set its own net zero target of 2030, identifying this as vital to delivering a core part of its mission. Addressing building-related carbon emissions in the 1000 churches they are responsible for will be one of the most important contributors to achieving the Church’s net zero strategy. However, decarbonisation of the Church estate is a particularly complex problem, with heritage buildings which have been at the heart of communities for centuries presenting unique challenges. This paper uses the case of Ayr St Columba Church in Southwest Scotland to explore potential decarbonisation strategies. The church is an example of a sandstone-built structure constructed in the early 1900s. Its substantial building proportions using sandstone as the primary construction material result in a building of significant architectural importance. A DesignBuilder model was created and calibrated with monthly utility consumption data and in-situ temperature monitoring data to investigate three aspects of building retrofit: fabric enhancements, heating system optimisation, and photovoltaic (PV) system integration. This study found that adopting ceiling insulation was a straightforward yet highly effective solution, resulting in a 16% reduction in gas consumption. Further reductions are possible through wall insulation. In terms of heating systems, advanced control strategies show promise, potentially yielding over 7.5% in fuel savings. Replacing boilers and utilising air-to-water heat pumps prove highly effective, with heat pumps offering long-term viability and a pathway to a zero-carbon footprint. Furthermore, incorporating PV panels on the southern roof could contribute substantially, generating 90% of electricity, albeit with seasonality considerations. By refining energy management strategies, achieving a zero-carbon operational process becomes attainable, aligning with the Church of Scotland's commitment to 'Net Zero' and broader sustainability objectives.

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