Home Energy Upgrades as a Pathway to Home Decarbonization in the US: A Literature Review
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Home Energy Upgrades and Electrification in the US
2.1. Energy Upgrade Trends and Programs in the US
Program Name | Number of Homes | Average Cost (USD) | Average Site Energy Savings | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Better Buildings Neighborhood Program–US [19,20] | 50,102 | USD 4910 | Average predicted source energy savings in each quartile: 11%, 26%, 43%, 94% | Roughly ½ of savings estimates are based on annual simulations, while another ¼ are deemed savings. Remaining ¼ are unknown. Comparison with actual utility bill savings in small subset of homes suggests substantial overprediction of savings by simulation models and deemed approaches. |
Energy Upgrade California–CA [21,22] | 20,000 | USD 6300 | 274 kWh, 16 Therms | Actual bill savings. Predicted savings were typically much higher. |
Zero Energy Now–VT [23] | 24 | USD 54,500 | 39% delivered site energy savings; 64% fossil fuel and grid energy savings; 60% energy cost savings | Weather normalized savings from utility bills and fuel delivery invoices. Most projects electrified, including insulation, heat pumps and solar PV. |
Home MVP–MA: Deep [24] | 66 | USD 49,126 | 48% | Predicted energy savings. |
Home MVP–MA: All [24] | 341 | USD 21,675 | 33% | Half were electrified. |
Extreme Energy Makeovers–TN [25,26] | 3420 | USD 9000 | 35% (4900 kWh) | Deemed energy savings; affordable housing. |
National Grid Deep Energy Retrofit Pilot Community–MA and RI [13] | 60 | USD 34.59/ft2 (USD 371.39/m2) | 55% 43% source energy savings | For 29 comprehensive projects. |
FSEC DERs–FL [27,28,29] | 10 | USD 14,323 | 38% | Energy upgrade increment was USD 7074; affordable housing. |
FSEC DERs–FL [30] | 70 | USD 16,424 | 30% | Energy upgrade increment was USD 3854; affordable housing. |
EnergyFIT Philly–PA [31] | 67 | USD 14,257 | 36% gas; 22% electric | Affordable housing. |
EnergySmart Ohio–OH [32] | 11 | USD 30,173 | - | |
Sealed–NY [33] | 338 | USD 10,000 | 20% heating; 5% electricity | - |
2.2. Electrification Trends and Programs
- Rebates are significant. Rebates for electric heat pumps for space heating ranged from USD 165–USD 1600 per ton, and water heating and cooking incentives were commonly USD 91 to USD 800 per unit.
- More efforts are needed to help utilities align their programs with local carbon reduction goals and to track the actual outcomes.
- Energy efficiency and weatherization should be paired with space- and water-heating retrofits in order to reduce upfront cost and ongoing energy requirements for electric heating and cooling systems.
- Electrification for low-income customers faces additional barriers, such as being unable to afford the upfront costs of conversion, a lack of access to financing, and an inability to control their built environment if they live in rental housing. Programs for low-income households encounter much higher costs per participant, due to upgrades often being provided at no cost, as well as the larger extent of improvements required for older dwellings.
- Integration of demand flexibility (through connected water heaters and thermostats) and renewable sources with electrification is an emerging area of interest.
- Only a small number of programs emphasized the role of contractors and provided them with incentives and education to sell heat pumps and other electrification equipment.
3. Energy Upgrades and Programs in Europe
- Transaction (e.g., the sale, rental or lease of a building, its refinancing, or a change in its use)
- Renovation (e.g., an already planned wider non-energy-related renovation)
- Disaster/incident (e.g., fire, earthquake, flood)
- Irish Guidelines for turning existing homes into passive homes [65];
- Two-year, 5 million Euros pilot program for deep home energy retrofits by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI);
- In the UK, numerous government programs have been introduced, such as: Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT), Community Energy Saving Programs (CESP), Housing Health and Safety Regulation, EPC and Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating to bring the households to a certain standard and alleviate fuel poverty [66]. One UK program that targeted substantial savings in existing homes was the Retrofit for the Future (RfF) program sponsored by the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board (TSB), now Innovate UK, from 2009 to 2013 [67].;
- In Belgium, The Meer met Minder program is aiming to reduce energy consumption in 2.4 million homes by 2020 using subsidies and low-interest loans. It planned to use comprehensive packages of retrofits, with much of the coordination effort taken up by the program rather than individual building owners; and
- The Climate Mission the Netherlands is developing strategies for homes without natural gas, with optimal living comfort and a healthy indoor climate. This program has put together a method for getting to scale with retrofits. Their approach is to completely streamline the process for the owner/occupant. Their system takes care of financing, planning, packaged designs, installation, sourcing materials/equipment, etc.
4. Energy Upgrade Measure Cost
5. Business Models, Gross Margins and Soft Costs in Energy Upgrades
5.1. Business Models
5.2. Gross Margins, Overhead and Profit in Residential Construction
5.3. Soft Cost in Energy Upgrades
6. Health Benefits of Energy Upgrades and Electrification
7. Discussion
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References and Note
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Energy Upgrade Measure | Measure Cost Summary | Sources |
---|---|---|
Attic/Roof | Attic Insulation Location:
| [7,13,69,70,71,72] |
Foundation | Foundation Type and Insulation Location:
| [7,15,69,73,74,75] |
Above Grade Walls | Exterior Wall Insulation and Cladding Combinations:
| [7,13,14,16,70,76,77,78,79] |
Ductless Heat Pumps | For 3.5 kW (1-ton), 1-zone ductless heat pump:
| [80,81,82,83,84,85,86] |
Heat Pump Water Heaters |
| [86,87,88] |
Electric Panel and Service Upgrades |
| [89,90,91,92] |
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Less, B.D.; Casquero-Modrego, N.; Walker, I.S. Home Energy Upgrades as a Pathway to Home Decarbonization in the US: A Literature Review. Energies 2022, 15, 5590. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15155590
Less BD, Casquero-Modrego N, Walker IS. Home Energy Upgrades as a Pathway to Home Decarbonization in the US: A Literature Review. Energies. 2022; 15(15):5590. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15155590
Chicago/Turabian StyleLess, Brennan D., Núria Casquero-Modrego, and Iain S. Walker. 2022. "Home Energy Upgrades as a Pathway to Home Decarbonization in the US: A Literature Review" Energies 15, no. 15: 5590. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15155590