Existing homes hold great potential for saving energy and reducing carbon emissions. To realize that potential, the United States must dramatically increase the adoption of deep retrofits (which produce energy savings of 40% or more). The report “Pathways for Deep Energy Use Reductions and Decarbonization in Homes” was authored by Jennifer Amann, Rohini Srivastava, and Nick Henner of American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
This study explored several strategies that can make deep retrofits more manageable and appealing to consumers. The authors analyzed deep retrofits coupled with electrification of space and water heating (with heat pumps) in common types of homes in the five major U.S. climate regions. They analyzed three retrofit scenarios (a one-time comprehensive retrofit and two staged retrofits) to compare project costs and energy, carbon, and bill savings over time.
Download the report here
