As the demand for more sustainable homes intensifies, architects and builders are increasingly driven by state and federal incentives to reduce the carbon footprint of their homes and to tap into the national push toward electrification. Navigating the complex decision-making process to ensure the best performance of a home that delivers real environmental and economic results can be daunting. It doesn’t have to be. In this course, renowned building science expert Marc Rosenbaum offers a clear roadmap for decarbonizing existing homes based on his own specific process and experience. Through this course you will gain a comprehensive understanding of what decarbonization is and how it applies to an existing project. You’ll learn how to assess homes accurately, develop an appropriate retrofit plan, and make the most of renewable energy systems to successfully meet a project’s performance and comfort goals.
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What You’ll Learn
Module One: Understanding Decarbonization
- What decarbonization means and why we should care
- Understanding greenhouse gas emissions
- Importance of working on existing homes
- General benefits beyond curbing emissions
- Overview of “The Big Three” concept
- Cost expectations
- Preview of the assessment process
Module Two: Assessment
- The decarbonization assessment process in detail
- Balancing focus and investment across “The Big Three”
Module Three: Enclosure Retrofit
- Weatherization vs. deep-energy retrofits, and deciding how far to take a project
- Building-science issues to consider
- Air-leakage reductions and targets
- Examples of enclosure upgrades that work for both interior and exterior applications
Module Four: Mechanical Upgrades
- Utilizing heat pumps in retrofit applications
- Considering existing systems
- Heat-pump types, uses, and requirements
- Understanding ventilation options
- Solving for hot-water demands
Module Five: Solar and Renewables
- Establishing guidelines for solar output
- Understanding area requirements, array options, and design
- Product selection considerations
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Marc Rosenbaum
Marc Rosenbaum, P.E., is a sustainable design consultant known for his integrated systems approach in creating eco-friendly buildings and communities that promote both personal and planetary health. With a focus on collaborative design, he deeply understands the interconnections between people, place, and systems for each unique project. His expertise includes Passive House design, deep-energy retrofits, and net-zero-energy buildings.
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