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Retrofit Measures Library

Comprehensive library of energy efficiency retrofit measures available in EnergyAtlas.

Overview

The Retrofit Measures Library provides pre-defined energy efficiency measures that can be applied to buildings in scenario analysis. These measures cover common retrofit strategies with documented energy impacts and costs.

Library Categories

Insulation Measures

Wall Insulation

Wall Insulation R-20 - Adds R-20 insulation to exterior walls - Typical savings: 15-25% heating energy - Cost: $2-4 per sq ft - Applicable: Pre-1980 buildings

Wall Insulation R-30 - Adds R-30 insulation to exterior walls - Typical savings: 20-30% heating energy - Cost: $3-5 per sq ft - Applicable: All buildings

Roof Insulation

Roof Insulation R-30 - Adds R-30 insulation to roof - Typical savings: 10-20% total energy - Cost: $1.50-3 per sq ft - Applicable: All buildings

Roof Insulation R-50 - Adds R-50 insulation to roof - Typical savings: 15-25% total energy - Cost: $2-4 per sq ft - Applicable: Cold climates

Floor Insulation

Floor Insulation R-19 - Insulates floors over unconditioned spaces - Typical savings: 5-15% heating energy - Cost: $2-3 per sq ft - Applicable: Buildings with crawl spaces

Window Measures

Window Replacement

Double-Pane Low-E Windows - Replaces single-pane with double-pane Low-E - U-value: 1.5 W/(m²·K) - Typical savings: 10-20% total energy - Cost: $15-25 per sq ft - Applicable: Pre-1980 buildings

Triple-Pane Windows - Replaces with triple-pane windows - U-value: 0.8 W/(m²·K) - Typical savings: 15-25% total energy - Cost: $25-35 per sq ft - Applicable: Cold climates

Window Films

Low-E Window Film - Applies Low-E film to existing windows - Typical savings: 5-10% total energy - Cost: $3-5 per sq ft - Applicable: Existing double-pane windows

HVAC Measures

Heating System Upgrades

High-Efficiency Gas Furnace - Replaces standard furnace (AFUE 0.78 → 0.95) - Typical savings: 15-20% heating energy - Cost: $5,000-8,000 - Applicable: Gas-heated buildings

Heat Pump Installation - Installs air-source heat pump - Typical savings: 30-50% heating energy - Cost: $8,000-15,000 - Applicable: Moderate climates

Geothermal Heat Pump - Installs ground-source heat pump - Typical savings: 50-70% heating/cooling - Cost: $20,000-30,000 - Applicable: All climates

Cooling System Upgrades

High-Efficiency Central AC - Replaces standard AC (SEER 10 → 18) - Typical savings: 30-40% cooling energy - Cost: $5,000-10,000 - Applicable: All buildings

Variable-Speed AC - Installs variable-speed compressor - Typical savings: 20-30% cooling energy - Cost: $6,000-12,000 - Applicable: All buildings

HVAC Controls

Programmable Thermostat - Installs smart thermostat - Typical savings: 5-15% total energy - Cost: $200-500 - Applicable: All buildings

Zoning System - Adds HVAC zoning controls - Typical savings: 10-20% total energy - Cost: $2,000-5,000 - Applicable: Large buildings

Lighting Measures

LED Replacement

LED Interior Lighting - Replaces incandescent/CFL with LED - Typical savings: 60-80% lighting energy - Cost: $2-5 per fixture - Applicable: All buildings

LED Exterior Lighting - Replaces exterior lighting with LED - Typical savings: 50-70% lighting energy - Cost: $50-200 per fixture - Applicable: All buildings

Lighting Controls

Occupancy Sensors - Adds occupancy-based controls - Typical savings: 20-30% lighting energy - Cost: $50-150 per sensor - Applicable: All buildings

Daylighting Controls - Adds daylight-responsive dimming - Typical savings: 30-50% lighting energy - Cost: $200-500 per zone - Applicable: Buildings with windows

Renewable Energy

Solar Photovoltaic

Rooftop Solar PV - Small - 3-5 kW system - Typical generation: 3,000-5,000 kWh/year - Cost: $10,000-15,000 - Applicable: Buildings with suitable roofs

Rooftop Solar PV - Medium - 5-10 kW system - Typical generation: 5,000-10,000 kWh/year - Cost: $15,000-25,000 - Applicable: Buildings with suitable roofs

Rooftop Solar PV - Large - 10+ kW system - Typical generation: 10,000+ kWh/year - Cost: $25,000-50,000 - Applicable: Large buildings

Solar Thermal

Solar Water Heating - Solar thermal system for hot water - Typical savings: 50-80% water heating - Cost: $5,000-10,000 - Applicable: Buildings with hot water demand

Envelope Measures

Air Sealing

Comprehensive Air Sealing - Seals air leaks throughout building - Typical savings: 10-20% total energy - Cost: $1,000-3,000 - Applicable: All buildings

Cool Roofs

Reflective Roof Coating - Applies reflective coating to roof - Typical savings: 5-15% cooling energy - Cost: $1-2 per sq ft - Applicable: Buildings in hot climates

Cool Roof Membrane - Installs cool roof membrane - Typical savings: 10-20% cooling energy - Cost: $3-5 per sq ft - Applicable: Flat roofs in hot climates

Measure Packages

Basic Retrofit Package

Measures: - Wall insulation R-20 - Roof insulation R-30 - Double-pane Low-E windows - LED lighting

Typical Savings: 25-35% total energy Typical Cost: $15,000-25,000

Comprehensive Retrofit Package

Measures: - Wall insulation R-30 - Roof insulation R-50 - Triple-pane windows - High-efficiency HVAC - LED lighting - Air sealing

Typical Savings: 40-60% total energy Typical Cost: $30,000-50,000

Deep Retrofit Package

Measures: - Maximum insulation - Best windows - Premium HVAC - Solar PV - Comprehensive air sealing - Advanced controls

Typical Savings: 60-80% total energy Typical Cost: $50,000-100,000+

Using the Library

Browsing Measures

  1. Navigate to Retrofit Measures Library
  2. Filter by category:
  3. Insulation
  4. Windows
  5. HVAC
  6. Lighting
  7. Renewable
  8. Envelope
  9. Review measure details
  10. Check applicability
  11. Review costs and savings

Selecting Measures

  1. Review project objectives
  2. Identify applicable measures
  3. Consider measure combinations
  4. Evaluate costs and benefits
  5. Select measures for scenario

Customizing Measures

  1. Select library measure
  2. Click "Create Copy"
  3. Modify parameters:
  4. Energy impacts
  5. Costs
  6. Applicability
  7. Save as custom measure
  8. Use in scenarios

Measure Parameters

Energy Impacts

  • Heating savings: Reduction in heating energy
  • Cooling savings: Reduction in cooling energy
  • Total savings: Overall energy reduction
  • Peak reduction: Reduction in peak demand

Costs

  • Unit cost: Cost per unit (sq ft, fixture, etc.)
  • Installation: One-time installation cost
  • Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance costs
  • Lifetime: Expected measure lifetime

Applicability

  • Building types: Which building types apply
  • Vintages: Applicable construction eras
  • Size ranges: Applicable building sizes
  • Climate zones: Suitable climate zones

Best Practices

  1. Start with high-impact: Focus on measures with best savings
  2. Consider combinations: Evaluate measure packages
  3. Match to buildings: Select measures appropriate for building type
  4. Validate costs: Verify cost estimates are current
  5. Document sources: Record parameter sources

References