A building retrofit can be an excellent way to increase your home or business’s energy efficiency. It can also improve comfort and reduce the amount of money you spend on energy bills.
Project Drawdown has modeled several solutions in the Buildings sector. This includes insulation, draught-proofing, heat pumps and more.
Energy Efficiency
The environmental impact of buildings is increasingly becoming a topic of focus for many organizations. In fact, some are even implementing green practices for their existing buildings to produce healthier and more resource-efficient models of operation and maintenance.
Energy efficiency is a big part of that approach. A building retrofit can dramatically reduce energy consumption, which lowers operating costs, improves sustainability and future-proofing, and increases marketability to environmentally-conscious tenants or buyers.
There are many ways to improve the energy efficiency of a building, and each home is unique. The best place to start is with the fabric of a house, by fixing leaks and carrying out insulation and draught proofing work. This can reduce energy bills before more exciting measures like solar panels and heat pumps can be considered.
Lighting and heating/ventilation are also good targets for reducing energy usage. Replacing fluorescent or halogen lights with LEDs and replacing old inefficient heating/cooling systems with more efficient heat pumps and fan motors can have significant impacts on energy reduction.
In addition, a building retrofit can incorporate advanced monitoring systems and energy management tools to provide real-time data and insights into a building’s performance. This allows for greater control and optimization, which leads to further improvements in energy efficiency. Finally, taking advantage of available financial incentives and rebates can help offset upfront costs, which can significantly shorten payback periods.
Environmentally Friendly
Building retrofits can reduce a commercial or residential property’s energy consumption by installing solar panels, smart meters and sustainable water and heating systems. This can help to lower energy bills while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Many governments offer incentives for energy efficient upgrades to promote a greener future.
Many buildings were built without considering their environmental footprint. By enhancing their energy efficiency, it is possible to significantly reduce carbon footprints while minimizing reliance on fossil fuels. Using less energy results in fewer utility bills, which can save substantial amounts of money in the long run.
By upgrading lighting, heating and ventilation systems, it is possible to create a comfortable indoor environment that can enhance occupants’ health and well-being. This helps to increase productivity and reduce health-related absenteeism.
By prioritizing energy efficiency, it is possible to lift people out of fuel poverty and alleviate health problems associated with cold homes. It is also possible to reduce noise pollution by upgrading insulation and windows, allowing for a quieter space. Additionally, improved ventilation can eliminate the buildup of moisture that can lead to a number of different health issues. It is also possible to increase the value of a home by improving its energy efficiency, which can make it more attractive to potential buyers. Investing in a retrofit is a great way to be environmentally friendly and improve living conditions for both current and future occupants.
Increased Value
Buildings that use energy efficiently are cheaper to operate, have a lower environmental impact and will have a higher value. A building retrofit that improves its energy efficiency can make it more attractive to potential tenants and buyers.
Deep energy retrofits help reduce a building’s reliance on fossil fuels and can have a positive impact on climate change. The goal of a deep retrofit is to reduce the building’s total energy consumption by implementing high-efficiency equipment and improving occupant behavior. However, many commercial buildings fail to meet their target energy savings due to economic and other non-technical constraints. It’s important to identify and minimize these constraints to ensure that a retrofit achieves its full potential.
It’s important to consider the life cycle cost of materials when choosing a retrofit solution. This includes initial costs as well as maintenance and replacement costs over time. It’s also important to choose materials that are compatible with existing building components.
A building retrofit can increase the comfort of a space and improve indoor air quality. This can be accomplished by installing new ventilation systems, insulation, and windows. It can also be achieved by integrating renewable energy into the building, such as photovoltaic solar panels.
When looking for a contractor to carry out a building retrofit, be sure to check references and licenses. Also, be sure to discuss the project scope and schedule with the contractor before signing a contract. This will prevent any misunderstandings and delays in the project.
Increased Marketability
The market for building retrofits is complex with numerous stakeholders. Investors are concerned about the capital cost of investment and payback periods, building owners want to reduce energy costs, and governments need to meet GHG reduction targets. In addition, occupants are interested in improving indoor environmental quality (IEQ).
Market drivers are also often conflicting. For example, predicted energy savings are sometimes offset by the rebound effect/comfort take-back, where occupants trade off energy savings for increased comfort. This phenomenon is particularly common in residential dwellings, where financial limitations, cultural norms and occupant behaviour can have significant impact.
Many governments and utilities offer financial incentives to promote sustainable retrofitting. Incentives can include energy grants, tax credits and energy-saving streams that can be used to repay the initial investment. In addition, green certifications such as LEED, BREEAM and WELL improve a building’s marketability. They can increase the rent or resale value and help attract environmentally conscious tenants and investors.
The residential retrofit market is nascent and the business models have yet to fully gel. To overcome this, a holistic approach that addresses the entire building envelope is needed. This approach can significantly lower the incremental retrofit costs and provide a viable pathway to high energy performance. For example, planned roof, window and siding replacements can be leveraged to also address the building envelope in a deep retrofit, allowing the overall system load to be reduced and lowering the overall capital cost.