Top 10 Ways To Get RetroFit On Energy Efficiency In 2012

The guide outlines ten strategies for building energy efficiency, emphasizing a 'bottom-up' approach to energy needs, retro-commissioning, and sealing air and duct leaks. It suggests utilizing daylighting, advanced lighting and HVAC controls, and retrofit window films to reduce consumption. The author also recommends pursuing energy efficiency financing like PACE, incorporating shading devices or green roofs, and addressing human behavior, which can influence energy consumption by 12-17%.

• The author advocates for a 'bottom-up' approach to energy planning, suggesting that building owners should start with zero consumption and justify actual needs rather than simply aiming for percentage-based reductions.
• Retro-commissioning is presented as a high-value action with nearly immediate financial returns to ensure buildings operate according to their original design.
• The document highlights emerging financing mechanisms, such as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and 'on bill' utility programs, which allow efficiency upgrades to be paid via property taxes or utility bills.
• Leaking ductwork is identified as a major construction defect, causing 10-25% leakage in commercial buildings and even higher rates in residential homes.
• Human behavior is noted as a significant factor in energy use, with studies indicating that people influence building energy consumption by between 12% and 17%.

APA

RMI (2011). Top 10 Ways To Get RetroFit On Energy Efficiency In 2012. https://rmi.org/resources/top_10_ways_get_retrofit_energy_efficiency_2012/

Chicago

RMI. Top 10 Ways To Get RetroFit On Energy Efficiency In 2012. 2011. https://rmi.org/resources/top_10_ways_get_retrofit_energy_efficiency_2012/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Top 10 Ways To Get RetroFit On Energy Efficiency In 2012 |date=23 December 2011 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/top_10_ways_get_retrofit_energy_efficiency_2012/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2011top, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Top 10 Ways To Get RetroFit On Energy Efficiency In 2012}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2011}, month = dec, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/top_10_ways_get_retrofit_energy_efficiency_2012/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }