Homeowners' Retrofit Basics

An energy retrofit can help you reduce air pollution and the carbon emissions that cause global warming, improve the indoor air quality in your home, increase the comfort and durability of your home, create local jobs, and save you money.

Energy retrofits, also referred to as weatherization or energy upgrades, are home repairs that reduce the use of heating fuel, electricity and water.

What is an energy assessment?

• An energy assessment (also known as an energy audit) is the only way to:
• Pinpoint where you are using and losing electricity
• Detect air leaks, check insulation levels, and gauge harmful carbon monoxide and gas in your home
• Accurately predict energy use and savings
• Determine the most cost-effective measures for cutting your energy costs

What problems does a retrofit address?

Retrofitting your home reduces: high energy bills, mold, mildew or musty odors, damp basement, cold floors in the winter, drafty rooms, dust, moisture on windows, water leaks, peeling paint, rooms that are too hot or too cold.

What happens in a retrofit?

1. Air

 

Air infiltration is the primary means of heat loss in New York City homes. Sealing holes and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings with caulk or expanding form prevents air from entering and leaving the home.

 

 

 

 

Installing door sweeps on exterior doors and weather-stripping on doors and windows will also reduce air infiltration.

 

 

 

 

In addition to sealing the building's shell, air leaks in ducts for heating and cooling can be sealed to cut down on air loss in the system.

 

 

 

 

2. Heating

 

Old furnaces and water heaters can be replaced with energy-efficient models. Water heater can be set at 120° F to conserve energy.

  

 

 

Proper maintenance of existing heating systems can help make a more efficient home. Safety of combustion equipment is checked by a professional to detect gas leaks and unsafe carbon monoxide levels.

 

 

 

Programmable thermostats can be installed to control the furnace. Thermostats on radiators give better control over room-by-room temperatures, preventing overheating.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Insulation

 

Adding insulation to the attic of a home is very effective in reducing heat loss in the winter.

 

 

 

 

When there is no insulation in walls, it can be pumped into the wall cavity. Insulation caan also be added in floors over unheated crawlspaces or basements.

 

 

 

 

Heating pipes in unconditioned spaces (e.g., basements) can be wrapped with insulation...

 

 

 

...and electric water heaters can be covered with an insulating jacket.

 

 

 

 

4. Lighting

 

Switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) can dramatically cut electrical bills without compromising light quality. Choose CFLs with "warm white" rating (2700K).

 

 

 

Motion/occupancy sensors can be installed outdoors, or in areas where you need light intermittently.

 

 

 

 

 

5. Other Improvements

 

Inefficient appliances can be replaced with ENERGY STAR appliances, and pay for themselves over time through energy savings.

 

 

 

 

Low-flow showerheads, low-flow toilets, and faucet aerators can be installed to cut water use.

 

 

 

 

If the home still has single-pane windows, energy-efficient replacement windows can help. Storm windows can also enhance efficiency.

 

Photo credits, from top: Aaron May, kevandem, Bridget Rice, Ian Alexander Martin, Alex & Rachel Johnson, Michael Caruso, Mark H. Nichols, Jack Amick, Bridget Rice, Djun Kim, Armistead Booker, Alessandro Vernet, Casey Fleser, Patrick Kane, Michael Kriegh.