Are you performing an extensive renovation or adding an addition to a client’s home?

Before Renovating

A good home renovation plan bundles home upgrades into three steps to improve the home’s energy efficiency. Depending on the age of the house or past upgrades, the starting place on the pathway may vary. I work closely with contractors and their clients to develop a renovation upgrade roadmap that focuses on three main areas:

1. Thermal Envelope - Heating our houses is the largest home energy user. Upgrades may include insulation in the basement, walls, exposed floors, attic, window and door upgrades, and sealing and draft-proofing cracks and gaps around your home.

2. Home Mechanicals - The home’s space heating and cooling, water heating equipment, lighting and other appliances are checked and upgraded to improve efficiency. This includes ensuring your HVAC system is the proper size for your home after adding insulation and installing a heat-recovery ventilator.

3. Installing Renewables - When we have minimized the energy the house needs through the envelope and mechanical improvements, a renewable energy supply can be added to provide the much smaller remaining energy requirement. Adding solar photovoltaic systems to your roof or yard can help take your energy-efficient home to net zero.

By working with you as part of your team, I can help you and your clients prioritize home upgrades based on their budget, timelines, and goals to achieve an energy-efficient home.

During the Renovation

Depending on the scope of the renovation, I work onsite with the contractor while the work is being completed to ensure the proper installation of the thermal envelope. This includes exterior insulation, wall and door installations, and air leakage testing.