Introduction to Home Retrofitting

Within This Page

• What is retrofitting?
• Why retrofit?
• Retrofit opportunities
• Getting started
• Important things to keep in mind
• Do it yourself or hire a contractor

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 Canada's climate, retrofitting usually makes a lot of sense.

Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency can tell you everything you need to know about retrofitting your home. We deal with houses of all kinds in all parts of Canada. 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.

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Why Retrofit?

Energy Efficiency

Perhaps most important, retrofitting a home costs less than producing new energy supplies to heat it. Fully 15 percent of Canada'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.

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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.

Although each house is unique, some general statements can still 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 analyse 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 15 cm (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.

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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.

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Important Things to Keep in Mind

House as a System

Experts at Natural Resources Canada 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 vapour 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 province or territory and most municipalities have jurisdiction over their respective building codes. The information provided here is written for readers across Canada and is general in nature. Local codes should be followed. Check with your local municipal office and building inspector.

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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.

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