Energy efficient industries constantly strive for goals that seem just out of reach.
- We want to help your home achieve net-zero energy usage.
- We want your energy bill to be well below where it has ever been before.
- We want to cut your energy usage in half.
While some of these goals put forth by both different companies and by legislature may appear a little far-fetched, we will not reach our goals for energy efficiency if we do not push our savings limits.
As we strive to conserve more and more energy, we need innovative methods to reduce residential energy usage. States are now setting high guidelines and even higher goals for all utilities and program administrators. The conservation targets may seem aggressive, but it is these high standards that will make a difference. States are also looking into long-term energy reduction goals to further the savings. One example of these raised bars is California, where the current goal is a 40% reduction in residential energy usage by 2020. This means that each existing home must cut their energy usage by at least 6.67% each year for the next six years. This goal is the most ambitious that our country has seen thus far on our road to efficiency. The top residential retrofit programs achieve about 30% savings currently.
As energy conserving technologies continue to advance, studies now prove that we can save more than 50% on home retrofit projects. These high-saving projects are called deep energy retrofit projects. Deep energy retrofits depend on insulating and sealing a home’s shell and interior, and installing new mechanical systems. With these upgrades, homes will be more comfortable, more aesthetically pleasing, and lower-energy.
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently released a report on residential deep energy retrofits. The ACEEE examined past retrofit projects and provided recommendations to improve future projects and programs—recommendations for saving more than 50% of the energy used in a home. The report assessed four current major efforts, all of which involved particular retrofit processes, technologies, and opportunities to save. One of these programs is a larger program: a utility-scale program through National Grid. This program strives for increased savings through deep energy improvements when homeowners are already upgrading their siding, roof, or basement. Another effort to conserve is a research-oriented program in New York. This program sponsors home performance contractors in the state to use more advanced insulation methods. These two programs are very different from each other, but aim at the same target: energy efficiency. Through studying these programs, the ACEEE gains a better understanding of large-scale projects.
These programs, along with future programs that will develop in response to this research, will change the energy efficient market. Each program delivers benefits and advances future energy savings targets by teaching the consumer more about conservation, educating the workforce in energy efficiency, and improving mechanical systems. As we search for new ways to save, a deep energy retrofit program is a smart choice.
A deep energy retrofit program is a realistic way to help you save more energy than you ever imagined. These programs keep your home your home, but make it more comfortable to live in and more comfortable on your wallet. Insulate and seal your home to begin saving. For more information, or to take the first step, Contact Dolphin today.