We recommend Reasonable Retrofits - here's why:

We've started to change the way we talk about updates to the building envelope (walls, windows and roofs) with homeowners.

It's time to shift from recommending Deep Retrofits (which can be time intensive and costly) to "Reasonable" Retrofits. Paired with a heat pump, reasonable retrofits are the fastest and the most cost-effective way to reduce carbon/ greenhouse gas emissions.

Why we started with Deep Energy Retrofits

Once upon a time, when all energy was dirty, the only way that we had to reduce carbon emissions was to reduce energy demand in buildings.

Wait, Ontario had dirty electrical energy?

Yes! Until 2014, in Ontario we burned a lot of coal to create our electricity. This was very ‘carbon’ dirty. Since then, Ontario has joined BC, Manitoba, Quebec, and Newfoundland & Labrador with very carbon-clean electricity. More than 90% carbon-clean in Ontario! More than 60% carbon-clean across Canada.

To reduce energy demand in buildings to meaningfully reduce carbon emissions, Deep Energy Retrofits were required.

You're going to tell me what a Deep Retrofit is, right?

Of course! A deep energy retrofit is a comprehensive building upgrade that aims to significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by making substantial changes to the building's envelope and mechanical systems. It's more than just a simple energy efficiency upgrade; it involves an invasive, holistic approach that addresses multiple areas of the building ...and it is expensive!

Deep retrofits involve a wide range of upgrades, including replacing roofs, windows, air-sealing, insulation, HVAC systems, and lighting. The goal is to achieve significant energy savings, potentially reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 40% to 50%.

Generally, a deep energy retrofit employs an 'envelope first' strategy where roofs, windows, air-sealing, and insulation are upgraded first to reduce the size and energy demand of replacement HVAC systems.

It's critical to note that doing deep energy retrofits were the right advice a decade ago but a lot has changed and our approach to efficient, healthy homes needs to change as well.

Why a Reasonable Retrofit is the best decision today

Our electrical grid is a lot cleaner than it was in 2014. Pair that with the remarkable advances in heat pump technology and their availability for individual homes and we can turn our approach around and 'electrify first.' Replacing our gas appliances with electric alternatives will immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90% in Ontario – and more than 60% across Canada! And Canadians are committed to making all electricity grids across Canada cleaner as we move forward.

Today, especially for individual homes, we can replace the idea of a Deep Energy Retrofit with a Reasonable Energy Retrofit – often done after we have updated the heating system - ideally to an all-electric cold-climate air source heat pump.

I'm not really familiar with the term "Reasonable Retrofit", you'll tell me what that is, too?

Well, I may have coined the term, but I hope you'll be hearing it a lot more. A reasonable energy retrofit involves lower-cost, simple upgrades that will help your heat pump to operate most efficiently, providing 10-30% energy savings on top of the massive greenhouse gas emissions savings that you are already enjoying. Examples of this reasonable approach include air sealing with simple caulking and adding attic insulation. Improving windows and doors can also help, but care must be taken that they are properly installed to maintain a good air seal around the frames. Replacing light bulbs with LEDs and installing low-flow water fixtures will also lower your energy consumption but will not help your heat pump to function more efficiently.

So, for both individual homes and larger buildings, let's get into the habit of thinking about electrification first, and improving the building envelope second. This is the strategy of Reasonable Retrofits. Start with the heat pump and pair it with reasonable and cost-effective building envelope updates that will let that heat pump easily keep your home comfortable year-round.

Deep retrofits always scared me! They made me think of big renovations, having to tear up my home and live elsewhere and big expensive budgets. You're telling me I can get energy cost savings and radically-reduced carbon emissions at a fraction of the cost and hardly any disruption?

Yes. Our homes can be comfortable, healthy, safe and powered by clean electricity. Homeowners like you should be able to make the switch without much trouble or expense. So, be reasonable and install your heat pump first, followed by some simple, cost-effective upgrades to your walls and roofs.