Helping Homeowners Save Money Through Retrofitting

Home retrofitting is becoming an increasingly common profession in the green industry. It is also referred to as deep energy retrofitting, home performance retrofitting and green retrofitting. The job of a home retrofitter is to find ways for homeowners to use energy and water more efficiently, thus saving money.

Some of the most common home improvements performed in retrofitting projects include eliminating air leaks through the usage of weather stripping and caulking, installing custom-fitted windows and doors to help retain heat in the winter and conditioned air in the summer, and installing programmable thermostats. While some homeowners may tackle these projects themselves, others may hire a specialist to help their home run more efficiently. It is stated that homeowners can save potentially as much as $500 a year by making these simple adjustments.

Some cities have begun offering retrofitting programs in order to help homeowners with older dwellings conserve water and energy use. For example, the city of Titusville, Florida offers a showerhead exchange program that encourages residents to turn in their old showerheads for a free head that only uses 2 gallons of water per minute (gpm) as compared to the standard 5 gpm's used by older models. Titusville's Conservation Department also offers free faucet aerators, which reduces the volume of water used while retaining water pressure. Every autumn, the city additionally offers a toilet-retrofitting program, which promises up to a $50-rebate for those who will replace their old toilets with more efficient models. Sometimes, plumbing retrofitters handle these projects instead of the homeowner, conducting a thorough review of the water usage in a dwelling, and making the proper conservatory improvements.

Some home retrofitters also specialize in "flipping," which is the purchasing of distressed property and remodeling and retrofitting the dwelling to make it both updated in style and efficiency. They include the aforementioned items in the retrofit, as well as install solar skylights to reduce lighting costs, furnish the home with Energy Star refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, and other appliances, and thoroughly insulate the flooring, ceiling and walls. In addition, they also take into account the size of heating and air conditioning systems, which are factors in energy efficiency.

There are a plethora of sub-jobs that fall under the heading of the profession of home retrofitting. A few of the most common are: window and door retrofit technicians, roofing and skylight installers, insulation installers and plumbing retrofitters. Some of these vocations may require apprenticeships or certification. Most significantly, acquiring LEED certification is a good way to obtain an edge over other candidates who are seeking to enter the green collar workforce. Individuals may also wish to continue their training after obtaining employment by taking classes at a local college or institute.

With the increasing amount of discussion about going green and home retrofitting, those who are already involved in remodeling, roofing, HV/AC and plumbing careers may wish to add "retrofitting" to their business card. It increases their window for clientele and demonstrates an expansion of their knowledge and skill in their trade.

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