Introduction to Home Energy Saving



What Is Retrofitting?
Retrofitting a house is simply upgrading it so that it will keep the heat in. This means
adding insulation, caulking and weatherstripping, improving or replacing windows and
doors, and improving the heating system. Retrofitting also means including energy
efficiency measures in all your renovation and repair activities. In Connecticut’s
climate, retrofitting usually makes a lot of sense.
Hoffner Residential Conservation Services can tell you everything you need to know
about retrofitting your home. We deal with houses of all kinds in all parts of
Connecticut. We have information for experienced do-it-yourselfers and novices
willing to give renovation a try.
If you rent, we can show you how low-cost measures can save you money and make
your house more comfortable by keeping outside air out, reinforcing windows and
doors, and operating and maintaining your home's heating system. You may want to
make up a list of recommended measures and approach the landlord with your
suggestions. If the landlord pays the heating bill, the benefits are obvious. If you pay
the heating bill, the landlord will have a happy tenant and a more valuable house.

Why Retrofit?
Energy Efficiency
Perhaps most important, retrofitting a home costs less than producing new energy
supplies to heat it. Fully 15 percent of Connecticut's annual energy use is to heat our
homes, and this energy comes mostly from non-renewable resources such as oil and
gas.
Comfort
A well-insulated, air-sealed house is a comfortable home. An insulated, tighter house
is also a much quieter house, and there is less dust and pollen to worry about.
A Sound House
By considering energy efficiency as part of your home's maintenance and repair,
your house will be in better shape. And by improving your home's air and moisture
control, your retrofit work should last longer and look better.
Save Money
Improving your home's energy efficiency is one of the best investments you can
make, paying tax-free dividends immediately in the form of lower heating costs. Home
insulation is better than just about any other low-risk, long-term investment you can
make.
All this aside, the investment is still a good one since it is an investment in the
conservation of valuable energy supplies, and this means we all benefit from
environmental conservation.

Retrofit Opportunities
What retrofit strategies are best for you? You will have to determine what shape your
house is in and what can be done to improve it.
Check the interior and exterior for signs of moisture damage and structural problems,
maintenance and repair needs, renovation opportunities, the level and condition of
insulation, and air-leakage paths.
Hoffner Residential Conservation Services, offers unbiased, home energy
evaluations. This service, paid for by homeowners, is conducted by qualified and
licensed energy efficiency auditors in communities across Connecticut. Auditors use
their expertise in combination with  energy-modeling software to prepare a report to
help the homeowner plan for energy efficiency renovations.
Although each house is unique, some general statements can be made about retrofit
opportunities.
Virtually all houses will benefit from air-leakage control. Weatherstripping and
sealants will stop drafts, save money, improve comfort and protect the structure. You
should also consider moisture control and ventilation to reduce the chance of
condensation problems.
Many houses will benefit from a complete heating-system tune-up. This should
analyze and correct any problems with the furnace or boiler, the distribution system
and the controls. Upgrading or replacing the unit with a high-efficiency model will
provide substantial savings.
Insulate a poorly insulated attic. If there is less than 6 in. of insulation in the attic, it
will be worthwhile putting more in. It is important to provide a good air seal first.
Insulate an empty frame wall. If there is no insulation in a frame wall, it is worthwhile
blowing in insulation to fill the cavity.
Insulate the basement. Basements are areas of significant heat loss in most houses.
If the insulating can be combined with damp-proofing on the exterior or finishing the
inside, it will be doubly worthwhile.
Make the most of repair and renovation work. Almost all repairs and renovations you
do around the house can have an energy-efficient component piggybacked onto the
work.

Getting Started
If you are a homeowner, you should know how your house works, which materials to
use for retrofitting, and how to maintain your home's heating system. Remember,
improving the energy efficiency of your house is an ongoing process – it is
accomplished bit by bit as you work on your house over the years.

Important Things to Keep in Mind
House as a System

Experts at Hoffner Residential Conservation Services have gained a lot of experience
with retrofit work over the last three decades. One of the most important lessons is
that a house works as a system. Each part of the house is related to all other parts,
and making a change in one place causes an effect elsewhere.
There are many forces at work in a house: structural loading, the effects of wind and
weather, and flows of moisture, heat and air. These must be kept in the right balance.
Adding insulation, air barriers and vapor barriers can affect moisture conditions,
ventilation and combustion air.
Health and Safety
Approach any work around the house with your health and safety in mind. Most
health and safety rules amount to using common sense around ladders and tools,
and when working in cramped and stuffy conditions such as in attics. Also, insulation
and sealing materials must be handled and installed with care.
Codes and Standards
Materials specifications, installation procedures and construction techniques are
normally spelled out in codes and standards or in the manufacturers' literature.
Typically, these concentrate on health and safety issues, such as ventilation and fire-
safety requirements. Each state and most municipalities have jurisdiction over their
respective building codes. The information provided here is written for readers across
Connecticut and is general in nature. Local codes should be followed. Check with
your local municipal office and building inspector.

Do it Yourself or Hire a Contractor
Much retrofit work can be done by the do-it-yourselfer with a few special tools and the
right materials. The cost savings and job satisfaction can both be high. If you take the
trouble to do the job properly, the results should be excellent. Be sure to carefully
study the material provided on this site – it is designed to meet the needs of both the
experienced and inexperienced do-it-yourselfer.
Some types of retrofit are best done by a contractor with specialized equipment and
experience, or you may prefer to have someone do the work for you. You are far
more likely to have excellent work done if you choose a contractor carefully and take
an active interest in the work. The more you know, the better. This is especially
important if you are hiring a contractor to undertake general renovations and you
want to include energy efficiency as part of the work.
Saving Energy
Call for further information or to schedule an appointment
Bill Hoffner
Owner
(860) 889-7246