[2] It may also involve remodeling the building to achieve a harmony in energy, indoor air quality, durability, and thermal comfort.
[6] Deep energy retrofits will assist in achieving the global climate goals laid down in the Paris Agreement.
[7] Conventional energy retrofits focus on isolated system upgrades (i.e. lighting and (HVAC) Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment).
[10] It is usually more economical and convenient to take this approach on buildings with overall poor efficiency performance, with multiple systems nearing the end of useful life, and perhaps other reasons.
[4] Also, evidence suggests that building simulation models can become more accurate for a given structure when actual operational information, such as thermostat set-points, appliance usage, etc.
It must be kept in mind to implement building envelope and passive design elements before making major heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and technology investments.
Walker et al. provide design and construction process guidance which can be followed flexibly in deep energy retrofit projects in residential homes.
There have been a number of studies to determine and quantify the benefits afforded to owners, tenants, and various other stakeholders from the successful completion of deep energy retrofits.
[2] Active occupant Environmental Control Indoor air Quality Visual acuity and comfort Green building rating or score Views to the outdoors Space efficiency Space flexibility and Leadership Internal and External Policies/ Initiatives Future Earnings A paradigm shift is needed to achieve the motive of climate change mitigation through retrofitting.
The framework should move from a project focus outlook towards an understanding of a larger scale execution that includes social awareness and interests.
Hence, there is the need for laying down large scale retrofitting programs that support the idea of cities as active sites to inculcate newer technologies.
The Global Status Report 2017 underscores the importance and potential of deep energy retrofitting among other solutions in achieving climate mitigation goals.
The report found that buildings & the construction industry together accounted for 36% of global final energy use & 39% of energy-related CO2 emissions.
It calls for a 30% improvement, by 2030, in energy-use intensity (i.e. energy use per square meter) of the building sector, as compared to the 2015 levels, to achieve the Paris agreement goals.
[6] The report asserts that an aggressive scaling up of deep building energy renovations of the existing global stock is one of the important steps ahead.
[21] In the commercial domain, the Energy Star Program by the US Environmental Protection Agency aims to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.
Unlike the US, where retrofitting policies often operate at state levels, UK programs are heavily influenced by central government schemes like the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and local initiatives driven by devolved administrations.
Despite these efforts, retrofitting remains complex due to a high proportion of older housing stock, a lack of skilled labor, and fragmented delivery mechanisms.
Key UK programs and organizations include: The Green Homes Grant, which provided homeowners with vouchers for energy efficiency measures before its closure.
Research shows that comprehensive retrofitting across the UK’s building stock could yield significant reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions while addressing issues like fuel poverty and poor indoor air quality.
[21] In contrast, UK schemes often struggle with higher upfront costs and administrative challenges, particularly in ensuring equitable access to financial support.
However, adoption rates in the UK lag behind targets due to challenges like complex property ownership structures and limited incentives for private landlords.
The UK’s success in scaling retrofits will depend on addressing these challenges while fostering collaboration between government, industry, and advocacy.
The project team, consisting of representatives from Johnson Controls, Rocky Mountain Institute, Clinton Climate Initiative, and Jones Lang LaSalle will have achieved an annual energy use reduction of 38% and $4.4 million.
Scaling up retrofitting efforts can create 3.3 billion direct and indirect cumulative job years in the United States.
[26] Cluett et al. point that the pilot programs should monitor actual energy savings to evaluate project impact and help calibrate estimation tools.