How It Works
How it Works
Deep Energy Retrofit:
80% Reduction
A “complete” Deep Energy Retrofit
- A panelized wall system insulated to R30 with triple pane windows
- Additional R20 insulation (interior or exterior) on foundation walls
- Upgrade attic/roof insulation to R40 or more
- Reduce air leakage by 50%
- Add whole house mechanical ventilation
- Replace heating system with a cold climate heat pump
- Replace hot water system with high efficiency water tank (electric)
- Add whole house mechanical ventilation
Deep Energy Retrofit:
50% Reduction
3 categories of partial Deep Energy Retrofits
- A panelized exterior retrofit (similar to DER80 but without mechanical system upgrade)
- An exterior retrofit that includes rigid foam board under new cladding (the best opportunity to improve the envelope cost-effectively is when cladding is replaced)
- A mechanical system upgrade (when it is not feasible to do work on the exterior of the envelope for a variety of reasons, or when mechanical system upgrades are scheduled)
Energy Conservation Measures:
20% Reduction
“Standard” Energy Conservation Measures
“Standard” Energy Conservation Measures, aiming for a 20% reduction in energy consumption. They include minor envelope measures such as:
- Air sealing
- Additional insulation in attics or foundations
- Swapping out existing mechanical equipment for higher efficiency units
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Retrofit Forecaster (RF) and its purpose?
The Retrofit Forecaster (RF) is a tool to aid municipalities in planning energy and carbon reduction programs through residential Deep Energy Retrofits (DERs), focusing on Part 9 housing stock.
How does the Retrofit Forecaster identify and prioritize potential candidate houses for Deep Energy Retrofits (DERs)?
The RF identifies candidate houses by ranking them by type, vintage, and size. It then prioritizes them using ‘Class D’ costing information, modelled estimates of energy savings, and emissions reduction. The energy savings and emissions reduction are modelled in HOT2000.
Municipalities can use the Forecaster to filter and view primary house types and vintages, which will help them determine the focus of their DER program.
How does the tool provide cost estimates for retrofit packages?
The tool provides a range of costs for identified retrofit packages based on house type in Nova Scotia (Climate Zone 6), serving as a starting point for scoping and budgeting a municipal-level DER program.
What are the house types, sizes, and vintages considered by the Forecaster?
The Forecaster considers house types such as 1 – 3.5 storey and split entry/level, sizes (small, medium, large, extra large), and vintages from 1920 – 2020.
What information is not included in the Retrofit Forecaster?
The RF does not include individual house energy use information, detailed building conditions, or precise energy/carbon reductions associated with exterior DERs. The Forecaster is a scoping tool, using defined retrofit packages that are matched with typical house types and size ranges.
How can the Retrofit Forecaster be used with mapping and visualization tools?
The Retrofit Forecaster can be used with tools like Tableau by downloading or integrating its .csv data with mapping and visualization platforms, allowing for overlay plots and data visualizations. The Retrofit Forecaster results can then be mapped to other key elements such as household socio-economics, in-house GIS data/analysis, Google Maps/Streetview, building permits, household energy/fuel sources, carbon load/costs, and municipal services data.
Who contributed to the development of the retrofit packages and costing data for the Forecaster?
Retrofit packages and costing data were developed with input from Natural Resources Canada, Efficiency Nova Scotia, Clean Foundation, Equilibrium Engineering, RSI Projects, experienced renovators, and certified Net Zero Energy service organizations. Funding was provided by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Nova Scotia Low Carbon Communities Program.
What challenges might be faced when extending the Retrofit Forecaster to other jurisdictions or climate zones?
Challenges in extending the RF to other jurisdictions or climate zones include developing energy models and costing data for multiple climate zones, obtaining information from provincial tax assessment organizations, and integrating with upcoming online tools and cloud-based calculators.