The Deep Energy Retrofit Controversy Revisited
Our window to avoid catastrophic climate change is closing. Existing buildings are one of the largest sources of emissions and among the hardest to decarbonize. At BuildingEnergy Boston 2023, Rachel advocated for “moderate” retrofits as a scalable strategy. Michael responded that deep energy retrofits must be pursued wherever possible. Despite the disagreement, Rachel and Michael share a common goal and are struggling with the same question. In this panel, they will explore that question together: How do we balance doing what we believe is achievable here and now with our obligation to push for radical transformation?
Session Speaker(s):
Session Chair(s):
Event Time:
Room / Location:
Harbor 1
CEU Information:
AIA: 1 LU
BOC: 1 credit hour
BPI: 1 credit hour
GBCI: 1 credit hour (BD+C, ID+C)
MA CSL: 1 credit hour (Energy)
NAHB: 1 credit hour
NARI: 1 credit hour
PHI: Credit offered for full conference attendance
Phius: Credit offered for each full conference day
RESNET: Credit offered for each full conference day
Learning Objectives:
- Assess the costs and carbon savings of retrofit projects of varying levels of intensity.
- Make use of existing measures of carbon impacts, and explore how they might be leveraged and applied to develop a more holistic cost/benefit accounting.
- Explore how the value of future proofing and resilience may be used to augment standard cost benefit.
- Address the challenges and nuances of working with clients to come up with decarbonization plans that are achievable, opportunistic, and responsive to the urgency of the climate crisis.
