Home Energy Retrofit
Green retrofit, home energy retrofit, home retrofit, and home performance retrofit are terms with overlapping meaning for retrofits that ensure the maintenance and preservation of buildings and the continued operation and maintenance of energy efficiency technologies.. The meaning ranges from steps home owners can do themselves to buying up distressed properties and making them certifiably green.. In the United States, the DOE issued a solicitation for $390 million for a “Retrofit Ramp-Up” program.
Simple steps
Steps home owners can do themselves include the following:
- Switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs
- Programmable thermostats
- Plugging air leaks with weather stripping and caulking. (This is what inspired the name “Cash for caulkers” in the United States.)
- Tuning up heating and cooling (HVAC) systems.
- Choosing appliances with low energy consumption. In the United States, this is certified by the Energy Star.
- Reducing water use by installing aerators and low-flow showerheads
- Switching to green power, including solar energy
- Using low-VOC products to improve indoor air quality
- Planting native plants and other appropriate landscaping measures.
