Passive/High Performance Construction

Make Your Existing Home More Energy Efficient with a Deep Energy Retrofit

What is a Deep Energy Retrofit?
Deep Energy Retrofit (often abbreviated as DER) involves making changes to the structure, materials and mechanical systems of an existing home in order to dramatically improve its energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint.  Deep Energy Retrofits may be undertaken during a home addition/renovation or as a standalone project.

What is Involved in A Deep Energy Retrofit?
The construction work involved in a Deep Energy Retrofit includes making changes to the building’s envelope, super insulating the structure, reducing “thermal bridges” (places of energy loss), replacing existing windows with high efficiency windows, improving heating and cooling systems and often adding a heat recovery ventilation system. Deep Energy Retrofits typically involve the introduction of a renewable energy source such as solar.

What are the Benefits of a Deep Energy Retrofit?
In addition to the obvious benefits to the planet (reduced carbon emissions), Deep Energy Retrofits bring tremendous benefit to the homeowner. One primary benefit is the dramatic reduction in heating and cooling costs. Deep Energy Retrofits often yield as much as a 70% reduction in energy consumption. With the addition of on-site renewable energy, many homes can even achieve Net Zero Energy. Deep Energy Retrofit homes are also quieter and more healthy overall.

How to Get Started with a Deep Energy Retrofit.
If you are interested in taking the first steps in planning a Deep Energy Retrofit, The team at The Valle Group would love to serve as a resource to you. Feel free to  reach out anytime.