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This policy brief by RMI outlines five strategic policies to increase the adoption of air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) and heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) in Illinois to lower household energy bills and meet state decarbonization goals. The document analyzes the techno-economic viability of electrification for single-family homes, highlighting that while heat pumps can reduce operational costs—particularly for those switching from propane or electric resistance heating—high up-front cost premiums remain a primary barrier. RMI recommends a combination of increased targeted incentives, zero-interest financing, rate design reforms, AC-to-heat pump replacement policies, and electric-friendly building standards for new construction.

This RMI briefing evaluates three 'retrofit-ready' multifunction mechanical system approaches—fully packaged, partially packaged, and distributed—designed to reduce the cost and disruption of decarbonizing multifamily buildings in California by integrating heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water systems.

RMI advocates for integrating building decarbonization with resilience efforts to combat climate-driven power outages and emissions. The briefing emphasizes 'passive measures'—such as envelope retrofits—as a priority to manage peak electricity demand, lower utility costs, and significantly extend the 'hours of safety' for occupants during extreme heat and cold.

This report by RMI discusses the challenges of decarbonizing existing buildings and outlines efforts in Massachusetts to create a viable regional market for equitable energy retrofits, specifically focusing on affordable housing and 'lighthouse projects' to serve as scalable models.

This executive summary describes a bottom-up carbon analysis of the United States building stock conducted by RMI to identify which building segments produce the most operational emissions and where capital flows should be prioritized for decarbonization.

This FAQ document provides guidance on the Low Carbon Building Criteria under the Climate Bonds Standard v4.0. It details the eligibility of residential, commercial, and built environment assets for green bond certification, outlining the pathways to achieve net-zero by 2050 and the specific requirements for new buildings, including the prohibition of fossil fuels and mandatory Whole Life Carbon Assessments.

This case study examines how the Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation (CDC), a nonprofit affordable housing owner in Boston, is implementing deep energy retrofits (DER) across its portfolio to eliminate fossil fuel combustion and reduce energy consumption.

This report by RMI argues for the establishment of comprehensive indoor air quality (IAQ) guidelines in the United States to protect public health and inform building decarbonization. It examines the health risks of indoor pollutants, compares indoor and outdoor air regulation, reviews international and domestic examples of IAQ guidelines, and outlines how such guidelines can be applied to product safety, building codes, and certifications.

This guide provides State Energy Offices (SEOs) with a framework for designing and implementing residential energy rebate programs authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). It emphasizes data-driven design, strategic outreach to underserved communities, and the creation of support systems like 'one-stop-shops' to ensure that energy efficiency and electrification retrofits are economically beneficial and accessible, particularly for low-to-moderate income (LMI) households.

This guide from the World Resources Institute provides city officials with a framework for building decarbonization, emphasizing the distinction between Net Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEBs) and Zero-Carbon Buildings (ZCBs) and the importance of life-cycle assessments (LCAs) to address both operational and embodied emissions.

This guide by RMI outlines how US states can maximize the impact of $8.5 billion in home energy rebates provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). It details two primary programs—the Home Efficiency Rebates and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates—and proposes three strategic actions for states: prioritizing low-income and disadvantaged communities, stacking multiple incentives to reduce upfront costs, and developing complementary state-level policies to scale building retrofits and workforce training.

This report examines how Energy Service Agreements (ESAs) and federal incentives, specifically from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, can be used to scale deep energy efficiency and electrification retrofits for affordable multifamily housing (AMFH) in California.

This fact sheet by RMI explains the concept of embodied carbon in building materials, detailing how it is calculated, strategies for its reduction, and the role of policy and industry in decarbonizing construction.

This report by RMI examines the role of low-embodied-carbon and carbon-storing materials in deep energy retrofits to reduce total building emissions and transform existing structures into climate assets.

This report by Energy Innovation analyzes the building sector provisions of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), detailing how rebates, tax credits, and funding for building codes can accelerate decarbonization. It provides a roadmap for federal, state, and local policymakers to implement these incentives, emphasizing the need for complementary regulations—such as updated appliance standards and building codes—to overcome the challenge of slow building stock turnover and meet 2030 climate goals.

This case study describes the Pembroke-Hopkins Park Energy Efficiency Pilot (PEEP), an initiative in rural Illinois designed to replace expensive and polluting heating sources like propane and wood with energy efficiency upgrades and electric appliances. Led by the Community Development Corporation of Pembroke and Hopkins Park (CDC-PHP) in collaboration with RMI and other partners, the project demonstrates a scalable model for rural energy transitions that prioritizes environmental justice over the installation of new fossil fuel infrastructure.

This policy brief by RMI argues that low-carbon fuels—specifically green hydrogen, biomethane, and synthetic methane—are impractical for heating buildings in New York State. The document contends that these alternatives are energy-inefficient compared to heat pumps, require costly and risky infrastructure upgrades, pose health hazards, and divert critical resources away from energy efficiency and electrification goals mandated by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

This policy brief by RMI argues for the implementation of a strategic suite of refundable tax credits to decarbonize buildings in the United States. The authors contend that current tax provisions are insufficient to meet President Biden's climate goals and propose six specific tax credit modifications and additions to incentivize zero-carbon new construction, deep energy retrofits for existing buildings, and the scaling of clean heating and cooling manufacturing.

This briefing by RMI discusses the role of Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS) in decarbonizing large buildings in New York City. It highlights the gap between basic building management systems and advanced analytics needed to reduce emissions, particularly within tenant spaces, and emphasizes the importance of granular data for complying with mandates like Local Law 97.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for decarbonizing the US building sector, primarily through electrification. It outlines ten key strategies for public utilities commissions (PUCs) and government agencies to transition away from fossil fuel infrastructure, emphasizing equity, market transformation, and the management of stranded asset risks.