Building Performance
Building Science
Passive House
Sustainable Building
The Deep Energy Retrofit Controversy Revisited
About this course
This course was originally presented at BuildingEnergy Boston 2024, a conference presented by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA).
Our window to avoid catastrophic climate change is closing. Existing buildings are one of the largest sources of emissions and among the hardest to decarbonize.
At BuildingEnergy Boston 2023, Rachel advocated for “moderate” retrofits as a scalable strategy. Michael responded that deep energy retrofits must be pursued wherever possible. Despite the disagreement, Rachel and Michael share a common goal and are struggling with the same question.
In this panel, they explore that question together: How do we balance doing what we believe is achievable here and now with our obligation to push for radical transformation?
Our window to avoid catastrophic climate change is closing. Existing buildings are one of the largest sources of emissions and among the hardest to decarbonize.
At BuildingEnergy Boston 2023, Rachel advocated for “moderate” retrofits as a scalable strategy. Michael responded that deep energy retrofits must be pursued wherever possible. Despite the disagreement, Rachel and Michael share a common goal and are struggling with the same question.
In this panel, they explore that question together: How do we balance doing what we believe is achievable here and now with our obligation to push for radical transformation?
Learning Objectives
- Assess the costs and carbon savings of retrofit projects of varying levels of intensity.
- Make use of existing measures of carbon impacts, and explore how they might be leveraged and applied to develop a more holistic cost/benefit accounting.
- Explore how the value of future proofing and resilience may be used to augment standard cost benefit.
- Address the challenges and nuances of working with clients to come up with decarbonization plans that are achievable, opportunistic, and responsive to the urgency of the climate crisis.
This course is included in this bundle
Course outline
3 modules
1 hour to complete
52 minutes
of video lectures
Welcome • 1 assignments
Orientation Materials
Welcome • 1 assignments
Orientation Materials
This is a free course. We take pride in our free courses, but keep in mind that this is only a taste of what we do in a full HeatSpring course. You can get started immediately after you enroll.
- Welcome to the course!
Module 1 • 9 assignments
The Deep Energy Retrofit Controversy Revisited
Module 1 • 9 assignments
The Deep Energy Retrofit Controversy Revisited
- Introduction to Byggmeister (01:38 minutes)
- Deep Energy Retrofits: Challenges and Evolution (03:41 minutes)
- Moderate Retrofits: A Cost-Effective Approach (05:00 minutes)
- Systemic Issues and Broader Perspectives (11:49 minutes)
- Social Cost of Carbon (07:49 minutes)
- Understanding Carbon Emissions and Data Uncertainty (04:03 minutes)
- Market Responses and Carbon Markets (01:47 minutes)
- Strategies for Decarbonization and Policy Recommendations (16:51 minutes)
- Presentation Slides (.pdf)
Conclusion • 2 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
Conclusion • 2 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate (members only)
Authors
Rachel White
CEO, Byggmeister, Inc.
Rachel White is CEO of Byggmeister Design/Build, a nearly 40 year-old residential remodeling company that is striving to serve as an exemplary steward of homes and to prepare them to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Rachel has been affiliated with Byggmeister since 2008, when she hired the firm to renovate her house. What started as an effort to reduce the...
Michael Hindle
Owner/Principal, Passive To Positive
Michael became a Passive House Consultants in early 2010, and completed the Certified Passive House Builder Training in 2014. He is owner and principal of Passive to Positive, and consults on Passive House, zero-energy, and Living Building Challenge projects. His projects include single and multi-family residential, small commercial projects, new construction and...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
This is a free course. Enroll today and get access to all of the materials instantly. This is a self-study, self-paced course and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll.
How long do I have access to the materials?
For free courses there is no guarantee for how long the course materials will be available.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Certificates of completion are only provided to HeatSpring Membership subscribers. This course has not been approved by any credentialing organizations (NABCEP, AIA, USGBC etc) for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). This course is for self education purposes only and completion does not indicate a level of professional expertise or credential.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, this is a free course so you can share this page with other people from your team.
