Addressing Energy Loss through Insulation and Upgrades
One of the most impactful ways to reduce energy usage and costs is to address air leaks and missing insulation in the building envelopes of existing homes and structures. Small cracks and gaps can account for a significant amount of wasted energy. Properly insulating attics, walls, floors, windows, doors, ductwork and pipes is crucial to stopping energy loss. Fiberglass, cellulose, spray foam and rigid foam insulations are common materials that create an effective barrier when installed correctly. For attics, the recommended insulation level is R-49 or higher depending on climate zone. Walls should aim for R-13 minimum while basement walls may need R-10. Caulking and weatherstripping helps seal air gaps once insulation is in place. An energy audit can determine specific areas in need of improvement.
Upgrading Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems
Heating and cooling systems often operate inefficiently over time as parts degrade. Replacing an older boiler, furnace or air conditioner with a high-efficiency model certified by Energy Star can reduce energy costs substantially. New condensing or heat pump units recover more heat from exhaust air. Programmable or smart thermostats also help match temperature settings to occupancy patterns for additional savings. Cleaning or replacing filters monthly is a low-cost maintenance task. Duct sealing and insulation lowers distribution losses, while zone controls allow customized comfort in different areas. Heat recovery ventilators recover up to 80% of lost heat during ventilation.
Improving Water Heating Systems
Water heating typically accounts for 12-18% of residential energy usage. Energy Retrofit Old or oversized water heaters should be replaced by heat pump or solar-powered high efficiency tankless on-demand models. Insulating exposed hot water pipes and the first few feet of cold water supply lines prevents heat loss. Setting the water heater temperature no higher than 120°F helps avoid wasting energy heating water excessively. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators reduce hot water demand. Drain water heat recovery captures discarded drain water to preheat incoming cold water.
Upgrading Lighting and Appliances in Energy Retrofits
Switching to LED light bulbs provides 75-80% energy savings compared to incandescent and 25% over CFLs. Occupancy sensors turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. High-performance windows with low-e coatings and insulated frames improve thermal performance and block heat gain in summer. Replacing older appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers with Energy Star certified designs cuts energy use up to 25%. Programmable smart power strips shut off phantom loads from electronics when not in use.
Maximizing Daylighting and Ventilation
Daylighting with skylights and windows reduces lighting costs while exposure to natural light benefits health and well-being. Interior lights equipped with photosensors turn off automatically in daylit areas. Operable windows allow natural ventilation for cooling. Whole-house fans efficiently remove hot air at night. Ventilation Heat Recovery (VHR) systems capture up to 80% of sensible heat from exhaust air during the winter to temper incoming fresh air through an air-to-air heat exchanger. Introducing outdoor air without thermal losses improves indoor air quality.
Investing in Renewable Energy Sources
Beyond efficiency upgrades, the next step involves generating on-site renewable power. Solar photovoltaic panels convert sunlight directly into electricity and have drastically declined in cost. Grid-tied solar arrays offset daytime energy loads while battery backup powers essential circuits during outages. Geothermal or ground source heat pumps utilize constant below-ground temperatures for ultra-efficient space conditioning. Small wind turbines harness breeze for properties with sufficient open land. Biomass furnaces burn wood chips or pellets sourced sustainably as thermal cogeneration. Energy retrofits utilizing these clean energy strategies create self-sufficient homes and promote long-term resiliency.
Managing the Whole-House Retrofit Process
A comprehensive retrofit requires coordination across multiple contractors and trade partners. An experienced home performance or building retrofit coordinator guides details for seamless execution. The project scope undergoes thorough planning with energy modeling to pinpoint optimal package of measures ahead of investment. Subcontractors schedule coordinated work windows to avoid duplicate disruptions. The process involves continuous inspection to resolve any air sealing, insulation or health and safety issues promptly. Post-work blower door or infrared camera tests validate a tight building envelope was achieved to specification. A completed retrofit certification verifies projected energy savings, increased comfort levels and environmental stewardship.
Financing Retrofit Upgrades Affordably
The upfront capital outlay for a deep energy retrofit project deters many homeowners and building owners. However, innovative loan programs and tax incentives are available to make projects cash flow positive. Energy efficiency mortgages roll upgrade costs into long-term, low-interest financing. Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans fund upgrades through annual tax assessments. Federal tax credits cover 10-30% of eligible solar, geothermal, small wind and other renewable energy investments. Customers recoup costs through utility bill savings within a few years. Grants from utility partners, state agencies or nonprofit programs may cover feasibility studies or targeted improvements for low-income applicants. With smart financing plans, energy retrofits deliver returns comfortably exceeding regular investment.
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Building retrofits can greatly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Since each building is unique, the same technology can have very different results when used in multiple properties.
Energy consultants recommend deploying several measures at once, since those with a quick payback can help pay for measures with a longer payback.The NYC Urban Green Council analysed the typical payback period of various energy efficiency measures:Lighting retrofits, ventilation upgrades and building controls tend to have the quickest payback periods in office buildings, 2-3 years on average.Motor replacements, heating upgrades and air conditioning upgrades have a slightly longer payback period, typically around 5 years.Major HVAC upgrades, renewable generation and building envelope improvements have the longest paybacks, 7-8 years on average.These are just average values, based on data from NYC buildings that benchmark their energy consumption.
In actual projects, some energy efficiency measures may achieve a payback period of just a few months, while others require more than 10 years to recover the initial investment.What Is a Blended Payback Period?The payback period of energy efficiency measures is often calculated individually.
However, you can also add all their upfront costs and annual savings, to determine the payback period of an overall energy efficiency project.
This is called a blended payback period.With a blended payback period, measures with a longer payback period can be justified financially.
