When it comes to decarbonizing our building stock, an all of the above approach is absolutely necessary. New construction and more rigorous building codes are certainly key parts of the effort to decarbonize, but no strategy is complete without addressing existing buildings. Deep energy retrofits allow us to prolong the lifespans of building materials. Additionally, less energy is spent harvesting raw materials, and then manufacturing, transporting, and installing new building components in entirely new assemblies. As Nakita Reed explores in her article below ("Building Reuse Is Climate Action"), deep energy retrofits also play a role in historic preservation and the celebration of frequently overlooked historical narratives.
Beyond Nakita's article, this retrospective from 2024 covers single-family buildings, multifamily buildings, and even.
We'll be taking a few weeks off from programing for the holidays, but we'll be back in January with more great articles and videos.
See you in 2025!