CIBSE supports research activities to advance knowledge in all areas of building services engineering.
These range from supporting academic and industry led research as partners or stakeholders, providing a dissemination route for research outputs and funding projects such as doctorate and post doctorate studies, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and engineering doctorates. Current activities include the following:
Academic and Industry led collaborative projects
Embodied Carbon of Building Services
The body of work surrounding CIBSE TM65 focuses on developing a calculation methodology to represent embodied carbon of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems. The most recent release is CIBSE TM65.4 which focuses on embodied carbon within office heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Additionally, CIBSE are working on a collaboration to evaluate the embodied carbon within heat networks as outlined below.
Evaluating embodied carbon in heat networks
Sept 2025 – present | Carbon Trust and ARUP
CIBSE are supporting the development of a calculation methodology to standardise the representation of embodied carbon within heat networks. This involves a review of existing methodologies used in heat network designs to identify gaps and provide practitioners with relevant, case-study evidence which is fully aligned with the principles and structure of RICS whole life carbon for the Built Environment (2nd edition). This will provide a practical embodied carbon calculation methodology and guidance for heat network projects to initiate work in this area.
An evidence review of refrigerant leakage rates and guidance for reducing associated greenhouse gas emissions for HVAC systems
June 2026 – March 2027 | Hoare Lea
A project with Hoare Lea is looking at reviewing the measured refrigerant leakage rates for a range of HVAC systems to create up-to-date benchmarks for engineers to use in their design appraisals. This project will help inform the update of TM65 Embodied Carbon in Building Service: A Calculation Methodology (2021) and Guide B3 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (2016) and will benefit from input from the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR), BSRIA and London Transformation Initiative (LETI).
Energy Benchmarks
July 2015 – Present | University College London
CIBSE’s Energy Benchmarking Dashboard is an evolving online platform that leverages real-world energy data to deliver accurate, up-to-date benchmarks reflecting current energy use trends across building types. Developed in collaboration with University College London (UCL), the dashboard supports data-driven decision-making in building performance. A new phase of the project is now underway, focusing on the update and development of new energy benchmarks and a comprehensive redesign of the dashboard interface. This is expected to launch in June 2026. CIBSE and UCL are partnering with Energy Systems Catapult and the NHS to expand the platform’s scope to include benchmarks for NHS buildings, enhancing its relevance and impact across the public sector. Additionally, the research will avail of data from DESNZ representing commercial buildings, providing a broader portfolio for energy benchmarks. Furthermore, this phase will focus on end-user interaction by conducting interviews with stakeholders to identify the types of data they need and how this can be optimally delivered.
Development of CIBSE international weather files
May 2026 – Present
To support the international expansion of CIBSE weather data, Environmental Data Scientist Jasmine Ng is leading engagement with academic and industry partners across CIBSE regions to assess requirements and future development opportunities – with Australia and Hong Kong identified as possible suitable markets. The revised UK weather files continue to provide a critical evidence base for overheating risk and energy performance, informing both Part O and Part L of Building Regulations and underpinning industry frameworks including BREEAM.
The release of the updated weather files was launched in May 2026 with further information available here.
Doctorates and post-doctorates
Investigation into ventilation and pollution ingress in city-centre offices
2021 – 2027 | University College London, ARUP and Cundall
This ongoing research investigates how ventilation design and operational strategies affect the infiltration of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM) into city centre office buildings. The project has carried out monitoring in UK offices to identify to investigate the causes of ambient air pollution ingress and develop mitigation strategies to control NO2.
This project's guidance will better inform how building operation and ventilation practices influence indoor concentration of NO2 and other pollutants, contributing to healthier indoor environments in urban settings.
Emma Gibbons, the PhD researcher leading this work, also serves as Chair of CIBSE’s Air Quality Working Group. She recently published findings in the Journal of Physics highlighting that where outdoor air pollutant levels exceed WHO guideline values, filtration of PM2.5, and NO2 can be effective at reducing indoor concentrations to levels which meet the guideline values.
Evaluation of external shading devices to mitigate overheating in naturally ventilated UK dwellings
2025 – 2029 | Loughborough University and the British Blind and Shutter Association
The project carries out testing in two twin domestic houses and makes use of modelling tools to better understand and evaluate the impact differing external shading systems have on UK homes and the occupants within them. The project aims to inform overheating risk assessments and support the development of practical, occupant-centred design guidance for residential buildings.
The next step in this research is to develop a predictive model to estimate internal operative temperatures - with and without shading - under future climate scenarios. To support this, Niloo is using CIBSE 2025 weather files.
Optimising Air Source Heat Pump Placement to Minimise Noise and Vibration
2025 – 2028 | Salford University
This PhD project, being undertaken by Katie Salter, aims to develop guidance for optimising the placement of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) to reduce their acoustic impact on communities. Through psychoacoustic analysis and modelling—focusing on ambient, tonal, and low-frequency noise, as well as multiple-unit interactions—and in collaboration with IEA Annex 63 experts, the findings will inform CIBSE guidance to support low-carbon, community-friendly heating solutions.
Katie is currently conducting listening tests to develop exposure-response relationships for the sound level of ASHPs at the receptor in different background sound conditions. This will provide evidence which towards to review of the current sound limit for ASHPs.
Supporting the independent living of individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) within the built environment
Sept 2026 – 2029 | London South Bank University (LSBU) & BRIDGES+ network
This PhD will address the challenging cognitive and sensory transitions experienced in the indoor and outdoor environment by people living with dementia. The project will integrate real-time data on lighting, acoustics, temperature, indoor air quality (IAQ), and spatial navigation into a participatory digital twin system. This system will leverage an unobtrusive smart home network to track digital biomarkers like respiration, heart rate and daily routines. The aim is to provide guidance for designing indoor environments for a heavily under-represented population.
Other Research Activities
- Advisory board member of the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Sustainable Sound Futures.
- Advisory board member of the BRIDGES+ network focusing on developing technology for people with dementia to make homes and public spaces easier to navigate and stay connected.
- Advisory board member of the Noise Network+ focusing on promoting conscious design processes to create quieter products, buildings and transportation systems.