The Greenest House is an Existing House: Navigating Renovations and Emissions
About this course
An existing house represents an enormous amount of “up front” carbon that has already been committed. The more we can re-use it, the less carbon we are releasing per unit of housing. But when is enough enough? This session is about finding the sweet spot between existing and desired, and how to balance expense vs savings.
Learning Objectives
- Prioritize a renovation project’s energy goals.
- Avoid creating problems after renovation (moisture, IAQ, etc).
- Balance upfront carbon vs. operational carbon in a renovation project.
- Lower the costs of renovation while still achieving significant energy savings.
This course is included in this bundle
Course outline
Welcome • 1 assignments
Orientation Materials
- Welcome to the course!
Module 1 • 6 assignments
The Greenest House Is an Existing House
- Introduction and Challenges in Renovation and Emissions (05:48 minutes)
- Approach to Renovations and Carbon Considerations (08:56 minutes)
- Case Studies and Practical Applications (09:50 minutes)
- Slow Deep Energy Retrofit (06:44 minutes)
- Audience Q&A and Final Thoughts (16:13 minutes)
- Presentation Slides (.pdf)
Conclusion • 2 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate (members only)
Authors
Emily Mottram
Emily developed an interest in building science and sustainable design in college. She started Mottram Architecture in 2009, and that’s when I started doing energy work that taught me how to look at buildings just a little bit differently. That led Emily to start designing energy efficient, zero energy ready, and super insulated homes. But even that wasn’t enough. A...
Dan Kolbert
Builder in Portland, ME since 1998. Focused on building healthy, efficient new homes and improving the performance and comfort of greater Portland's aging existing housing stock. Co-Author of Pretty Good House: A Guide to Creating Better Homes. Facilitator of the local Building Science Discussion Group, which has been meeting monthly since 2009, and where PGH...
Chris Briley
Chris Briley is a principal architect at BRIBURN in Portland, Maine where he practices “architecture for life” specializing in sustainable design. Recently he co-authored a best-selling book, Pretty Good House – A guide to creating better homes. He is a Certified Passive House Consultant, an enthusiastic participant of the Building Science Discussion Group in Portland,...
