One of the best times to get a home on the Path to Zero is when the homeowner is ready to remodel their home. It can provide a great opportunity to Retrofit to Zero. It works best when building professionals work closely with homeowners.
Watch VideoThe first step for many trying to move towards zero is getting a Home Energy Audit.
Learn more about what this means and why it’s an important step on your Path to Zero.
Whether you’re looking to learn more about Zero Energy Retrofits, or to start your own plan on the Path to Zero, finding a professional to work with is crucial. BPI Certified Professionals and BPI GoldStar Contractors will conduct a whole-home energy audit and provide you with a prioritized, step-by-step plan to improve your home’s comfort, health, and energy efficiency.
Caulking and weatherstripping are two examples that are easy and practical techniques that often pay for themselves with a year or less.
Caulking around doors and window frames, and weatherstripping doors and operable windows is something most homeowners can easy do in a weekend or two.
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Most people think they already have enough insulation in their attic but, what if your insulation was only 25% as effective as the rated R-value should be. Read this BPI article for more details
This image clearly shows the problem are where excessive air leakage is common.
Installing proper insulation, managing moisture control and providing fresh air ventilation in your home are essential steps in improving your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and healthy indoor air quality.
Heat flows in three different ways: conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the way heat moves through materials, such as when a heating pad heats your sore back.. Convective describes how heat flows through liquids and gases, and why warm air rises, and cool air sinks. Radiant heat travels heats solid objects in its path through energy absorption.
Most insulation works by slowing conductive heat flow and–to a lesser extent–convective heat flow. Radiant heat gain is diminished by radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems. Learn More About Insulating Your Home Here
Effective moisture control and proper ventilation improve the air sealing and insulation performance. Moisture control strategies differ depending on your climate zone as well as your home construction.
To implement the right moisture control plan, Iit is also important to understand how moisture moves in and out of your home. These ways include through air currents, by diffusion through materials and through heat transfer.
Air movement accounts for more than 98% of all water vapor movement in building cavities. Learn More About Moisture Control Here
See how this homeowner retrofitted their classic craftsman home with SIPs, reducing their energy consumption by 50 percent, saving over $1,300 a year in energy costs
Healthy Home Healthy Planet Find out how Jon Livermore zeroed out their home’s carbon footprint and stopped paying energy bills (insert video here)
For most of us, planning for retirement takes years. The amount we set aside each paycheck still leaves us with enough money for today’s expenses. Your zero home retrofit can be like that too.
You can gradually implement steps that get you on the path to zero without breaking the bank. Think about starting a “towards zero remodeling plan” beginning with the lowest cost measures first and then estimating the lifetime of big ticket items like appliances, HVAC, roofing, windows, etc. and writing out a replacement timeline. Budgeting for each item can help you renovate “towards zero” in a gradual, affordable way. Read More
Here are some tips on how you can start saving energy and money today,18 Simple, Energy Saving Tips Today