photo by Johan J. Ingles-Le Nobel
I read a lot about building new energy efficient homes. This can range from the current Energy Upgrade California rebate program to the passive house movement. But if you’re doing a small addition, or an interior remodel, energy efficiency efforts don’t really apply. Or do they?
New homes get most of the attention in the press, but there are many more existing houses in this country and there lies the greater opportunity to reduce national energy use.
One way to greatly reduce natural gas and electricity consumption is the deep energy retrofit. But that costs boat loads of money. What is a more modest approach for folks planning a remodel?
Here are the key elements to an energy sipping remodel:
- cavity-filling insulation
- high-performance windows
- sealed heater ducts (throughout the house)
- furnace actually calculated for size of house
Taking a step-by-step approach to upgrading your home’s energy efficiency is more affordable than doing a heroic deep energy retrofit. It can be part of an overall long-term plan to modernize your home.
And if you don’t stay in this house very long you’ve at least enjoyed a more comfortable home, lower monthly bills, and contributed to the larger solution.
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