Green Retrofitting 101

GREEN RETROFITTING 101

202-470-3246

SSC White Paper

Green Retrofitting 101

The green building label is not reserved for only new buildings; it is just as
plausible to turn the millions of existing buildings into environmentally friendly
structures. Green buildings are proven to reduce water and energy use and
costs, create greater worker productivity and satisfaction, improve brand
image, and better community relations.

Renovations to a building include improving energy efficiency, improving the

heating and cooling system, creating a more sustainable site, improving water
efficiency, installing renewable energy, and using eco-friendly materials. There
are many projects that can be completed on a smaller budget, while others
require a larger commitment.

Even though there tends to be a high upfront cost, there are substantial
incentives that make these costs worth it.

www.sustainabilityconsulting.com

Copyright © 2012, Strategic Sustainability Consulting. All rights reserved.


This presentation provides a summary of the white paper Green
Retrofitting 101, which is an overview of green building, renovations
and taking the necessary steps toward working in a sustainable
environment.




The white paper provides you with
the resources needed to get
started and walks you through:


The appeal of green buildings



The challenge of retrofitting



The retrofitting process



LEED



Incentives for green retrofitting



The Appeal of Green Buildings

Green buildings offer their
owners and tenants a number of
bottom-line benefits, including
reductions in water and energy
use and costs, opportunities
with respect to tax credits and
other regulatory incentives,
greater employee productivity
and satisfaction, improved
brand image, and better
community relations.
Like what you see? You can do this too!
Find out how here!



Challenges

Doug Gatlin of the Green Building Council accurately
portrays retrofitting as “having to make the most of what
you’ve got.” Most buildings cannot go through a gut
rehab, but there are basic actions that tenants can take to
greatly improve a building’s green status.



Challenges

The retrofitting process can be
troublesome if you are leasing a
building, or surrounded by other
tenants who are not on board with
retrofitting.
You will have to ensure that everyone
understands the importance of
retrofitting in today’s business world
in order to obtain widespread approval
and participation.
Download, “Green Retrofitting 101” to
learn more.



Before You Retrofit



Considerations:






Obtain a green audit: This will tell
you what needs to be done, as
well as put a price tag on these
fixes.
Establish retrofitting goals: How
intricate will your retrofit be? What
are your motivations?
Contact a contractor: What can be
done on your own? What areas
need professional help?



Before You Retrofit

Significant research must be done
when seeking out a contractor. Do
not just hire the first name you
come across in the phone book!
Contact those in your network to
figure out who you can trust to
take your retrofitting journey with
you!
Learn more about choosing a
contractor by downloading the full
white paper here!



The Process

The first step in the process of retrofitting, after an audit is conducted, is
to confront your energy efficiency. This can be broken down into four
categories:
Lighting

Energy Star

Insulation

• Consider the types of
lighting you are using,
as well as placement,
design, and color

• A very strict
certification to earn

• Contact an insulation
expert for an audit

• Saves both your wallet
and the environment

• Use a thermal scanner

• Switch to CFLs

• Products range from
refrigerators, copiers,
and air systems, to
lighting fixtures

• Utilize natural light
• Install lighting sensors

• Consider using
cellulose or spray
foam instead of
fiberglass
• Caulking and weather
stripping will prevent
drafts



Windows
• Find a window
contractor who will
know what windows
will work best in your
building
• Windows lose heat via
conduction, radiation,
convection, and drafts

The Process



Asses your overall heating
and cooling system









Monitor annual fuel utilization
efficiency (AFUE)
A condensing unit is 10% more
efficient than a furnace and can
have a lifespan of 15-25 years
Look for Energy Star rated air
conditioners
Consider a passive solar design
Learn more about energy
conservation here!

A passive solar design uses a structures windows, walls,
and floors to collect, store, and distribute heat.



The Process

After assessing energy and
heating/cooling efficiency, take a
look at your water efficiency.
Check all pipes, appliances, and
irrigation systems. Try installing
water-conserving indoor
plumbing including toilets, sinks,
and showers.
Gray water systems are also a
great way to recycle water within
your building and its surrounding
environment!


The Process



Create a sustainable site



Plant only native plants





Install rain barrels
Install efficient sprinklers

Use renewable energy










This should only be considered after
energy efficiency has been assessed
Invest in a Closed Loop Solar Water
Heater
Solar PV cells can be efficient even if
you don’t live in California!
For a larger business, wind turbines are
an option
Consider a geothermal heat pump

In an indirect design the liquid pumped
through the solar thermal collectors is an
antifreeze, and then is circulated through
coils in the water tank to heat the
surrounding water.



The Process

One of the last issues to confront
when retrofitting your building is
to assess materials and resources.
It is important to find out where
the materials you use on a daily
basis come from:


Who is your supplier?



What is their bottom line?





Support local economy and buy
from nearby suppliers!

Learn how to green up the outside of your
office as well, literally!

Also, reuse materials to reduce
waste from going to a landfill.


What About LEED?

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a
certification program for buildings wishing to green up.
LEED is a rigorous certification to obtain, broken down into
categories and points. Various point levels will earn you
basic, silver level, gold level, and platinum level certification.



What About LEED?



LEED categories include:








Sustainable Site
Water Efficiency
Energy and Atmosphere
Materials and Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality
Innovation and Operations
Regional Priority

Learn about other great
programs to help you
retrofit your building in
Sustainability
Certifications and
Standards … another
great SSC white paper!



What About LEED?

Pros

Cons

•Established and well-respected
program

•Incredibly detailed

•Provides specific direction for
companies who desire to decrease
their buildings’ impacts

•Can add extra expenses

•Makes green building accessible to
a much broader audience
•Offers recognition for your work

•Time consuming
•Requires an LEED consultant
•This certification is certainly not
for everyone since the same
energy savings and reduced
carbon dioxide emissions can be
achieved without going through
the certification program.



Incentives

There are a substantial amount of
financial incentives currently available
that can make a green retrofit much
more financially reasonable. Most of
the incentives are in the renewable
energy or energy efficiency areas.
One example: The commercial building tax deduction in the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 provides a tax deduction of $1.80 per square foot; eligible buildings
must save at least 50 % of projected energy costs and buildings with lesser
annual energy savings are eligible for a partial deduction of $0.60 per square
foot. A major federal renewable energy incentive in the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a 30% tax credit or federal grant for the
equivalent amount of money.


Incentives







This act is part of the government
stimulus package, which provides
significant economic incentives to
develop a greener economy.
There are also many other
government grant , tax credits, and
loan programs that are currently out
there or are in the process of being
developed.
There are many state incentives as
well, but they differ from state to
state, so you’ll have to research your
state further.

For more information on
stimulus money, check out

How Small Business Can
Take Advantage of
Stimulus Money in the
Energy Sector.

And don’t forget to check
out DSIRE to find out your
state incentives!



Incentives





An example of state incentives in Pennsylvania is the Alternate Energy
Investment Fund which provides $650 million for renewable energy and
energy efficiency.
The funding for programs such as the Alternate Energy Investment Fund
and others will not last forever and will eventually run out. Evidence strongly
suggests that green retrofitting projects should be completed sooner than
later in order to receive economic incentives because retrofits will become
more common and the incentives will disappear.

Download, “Green Retrofitting 101” to learn more.


Looking Ahead

Work does not stop after the
completion of a green retrofit;
many sustainable practices
that don’t involve the actual
infrastructure of a building can
also contribute to a greener
building or workplace.
It is important to continue to
work with employees or
tenants to uphold sustainable
practices.


Looking Ahead





After you have retrofitted your
building, it is important to
encourage employees to act with
sustainability in mind. Turn off
lights, recycle, carpool, develop a
green team, etc. Do whatever it
takes to keep your team thinking
green, even long after the last
CFL light bulb is installed!
A great place to start on the road
to retrofitting your business is
through research, and we have
started this step for you right
here in Green Retrofitting 101!



Download the complimentary white paper in it’s
entirety by visiting the SSC website today:


202-470-3246

What are your thoughts? Join the
conversation on twitter @jenniferwoofter!

Green Retrofitting 101

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