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The City of Ithaca collaborated with Cornell University and RMI to model 5,468 buildings using a combination of the Urban Building Energy Model (UBEM) and the Green Upgrade Calculator (GUC). The analysis found that combining air-source heat pumps with envelope improvements and rooftop solar significantly reduces operating costs and electricity demand. The study identifies residential homes in low-income communities and certain downtown commercial buildings as high-priority targets for cost-effective decarbonization.

Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation (CDC) is implementing deep energy retrofits (DER) at three residential properties in Boston to reduce energy consumption by an average of 55 percent across 103 units. By conducting portfolio-wide Capital Needs Assessments and leveraging a diverse stack of local and federal funding—including an expected $8 million in support—the CDC aims to eliminate on-site fossil fuel combustion and improve tenant well-being. The project utilizes guidance from RMI’s REALIZE-MA initiative and LISC’s 1000 Apartment Challenge to navigate the complex predevelopment phase and align with Massachusetts' climate goals and Boston's Building Energy Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO).

The briefing introduces 'hours of safety' to measure building resilience during extreme cold events. Simulations in Duluth, Minnesota, show that high-performance envelopes, such as Passive House standards, maintain safe temperatures significantly longer than older or code-compliant homes, highlighting the potential for this metric to guide resilience planning and weatherization efforts.

RMI collaborated with the Lodha Group to implement a net-zero energy (NZE) district framework for Palava City, a greenfield development near Mumbai. The approach integrates energy, mobility, and water management to reduce carbon emissions and improve quality of life. Key strategies include improving building envelopes, maximizing on-site solar generation, prioritizing non-motorized transport, and treating 100% of wastewater for on-site reuse. The project serves as a model for sustainable urban development in emerging markets.

The report finds that the incremental cost of building ZER homes is modest, averaging 1.8%, while ZE homes average a 7.3% premium. These costs often fall below consumer willingness-to-pay and mortgage-savings thresholds. The analysis identifies heat pumps, LED lighting, and ENERGY STAR appliances as cost-optimal measures and projects that ZE incremental costs will drop to 3.1%–5.5% by 2030 due to declining solar PV costs and efficiency gains. It emphasizes the need for skilled labor training and supportive policy frameworks to accelerate adoption across various US climate zones.

The briefing examines the link between indoor air quality (IAQ) and home energy performance, suggesting that healthcare providers can improve patient well-being by recommending energy upgrades. It highlights that poor IAQ costs the U.S. economy over $10 billion annually and notes that specific improvements—such as controlled ventilation, humidity control, and building envelope sealing—can reduce allergens and mold. The document promotes a partnership between RMI and NEEF to provide health professionals with educational materials, including the 'Health Heroes' infographic, to encourage homeowners to invest in energy-efficient upgrades that reduce carbon emissions and improve health.

The document highlights that energy efficiency upgrades, particularly attic insulation, can provide a high return on investment in terms of home resale value. It references the Remodeling magazine Cost vs. Value Report to show that attic insulation was the only project with a greater-than-100-percent cost vs. value ratio nationally, yielding a 166 percent return. Beyond resale value, the briefing identifies operational cost savings, improved thermal comfort, and health benefits—such as an 85 percent drop in hospital admissions for children with asthma following comprehensive retrofits—as key drivers for homeowners. Other value-adding upgrades mentioned include solar PV systems, high-efficiency HVAC systems, envelope improvements, and advanced water heating technologies.

The Energy Retrofit Guide for Caribbean Hospitals outlines a three-step process—Find, Finance, and Follow-through—to help healthcare facilities reduce energy consumption. It highlights the high cost of electricity in the Caribbean (averaging $0.38/kWh) as a primary driver for deep energy retrofits, which can reduce energy costs by over 50%. The guide introduces a free online tool for benchmarking and identifying energy efficiency measures (EEMs), and provides a framework for securing financing and managing the technical implementation of retrofit projects.

The report details a collaborative effort to increase energy savings in GSA buildings, noting that the National Deep Energy Retrofit (NDER) program has already increased average project savings from 18% to 39%. It proposes several strategies to achieve deeper retrofits, including the use of integrative design charrettes, expanding revenue streams to include tenant and O&M savings, and adopting 'Option C' measurement and verification for whole-building solutions. The document also emphasizes the need to shorten the preliminary audit phase and improve communication between GSA and energy service companies (ESCOs) to reduce project timelines, which typically stretch 18–24 months.

The report evaluates the design of proposed tax incentives for residential thermal retrofits in Germany, focusing on whether to support single or comprehensive measures, the appropriateness of the KfW 85 standard, the optimal timeframe for project completion, and the risks associated with stepwise implementation. Based on a survey of 78 practitioners, the document argues that comprehensive retrofits are superior for energy savings and comfort, and that a 10-year flexibility period for completion is unnecessary. It also highlights the critical importance of a specific sequence of measures to avoid structural damage and cost increases.

The GSA Net Zero Renovation Challenge aims to move beyond shallow retrofits by leveraging ESPCs to achieve deep energy savings (over 50%) and net zero energy in a portfolio of 30-35 federal buildings. A workshop convened by RMI and GSA identified key barriers to this goal, including long procurement timelines, high financing costs, and a lack of integrative design. Proposed solutions include streamlining the ESCO selection process from 18 months to approximately 8 months, blending appropriated funds with ESPC financing, and adopting a 'right steps in the right order' approach that prioritizes load reduction before selecting HVAC and renewable systems. The challenge evaluates projects based on absolute energy savings, technical and financial creativity, and progress toward EISA 2007 goals.

The study finds that building energy codes in the U.S. are associated with a roughly 10% decrease in primary energy use per housing unit and a 16% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per average code household. These results are consistent with, and potentially higher than, standard engineering simulation estimates. The analysis also identifies a fuel-switching effect, where codes encourage a shift toward natural gas and away from other fuels like fuel oil, likely due to code provisions allowing tradeoffs between building envelope efficiency and high-efficiency equipment.

The document refutes claims that green buildings are harmful to health, clarifying that an Institute of Medicine report on climate change and indoor environments does not actually discuss "green" buildings. It explains that while tight building envelopes intended for energy efficiency can conflict with ventilation needs, proper engineering and adherence to current standards prevent health issues like "sick building syndrome," which occurred in the 1970s and 80s due to drastically reduced ventilation rates.

The document explains how to reduce home heating and cooling expenses by improving the building envelope. It details the physics of heat loss and gain, provides guidance on selecting and installing insulation materials, offers methods for identifying and sealing air leaks, and evaluates various window upgrade options from low-cost films to full replacements.

The document advocates for 'whole system design' in home construction and renovation, arguing that considering the interconnections between systems, occupants, and the environment can make green homes cost less than conventional ones. It emphasizes a 'passive before active' approach, prioritizing the building envelope and solar orientation to reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling. Key strategies include optimizing south-facing glazing, utilizing thermal mass (such as masonry or water), and implementing 'cool roof' or 'green roof' systems. The guide also provides a comparative analysis of wall materials—such as straw bale, adobe, and SIPs—based on thermal performance, toxicity, and cost, while introducing Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) as a financing tool for these improvements.

The document analyzes the carbon footprint of a typical American single-family home, which it estimates emits 26,028 lbs of CO2 annually. It proposes a tiered strategy of no-cost, low-cost, and long-term investments—such as improving the building envelope, upgrading appliances, and purchasing green power—to reduce these emissions. The author argues that a combination of efficiency retrofits, solar water heating, and carbon offsets can lead a household to net zero emissions, potentially reducing emissions by 68% before applying offsets.

The guide defines green building as a holistic approach to design and construction that optimizes the relationship between a building, its site, and the local climate to reduce resource use. It emphasizes that integrated design—where interdisciplinary teams collaborate early in the process—allows for the downsizing of mechanical systems and the reduction of both capital and operating costs. The text highlights the significant environmental impact of the built environment in the U.S. and suggests that existing technologies can drastically improve resource efficiency. Key strategies discussed include optimizing building orientation, improving the building envelope to manage heat transfer, utilizing daylighting and renewable energy, and implementing rigorous waste reduction and third-party commissioning practices.

Amory Lovins advocates for 'green design' that integrates biologically informed human comfort, high-performance technology, and community-rooted architecture. He argues that combining Japanese sensibilities regarding dynamic environments with Western innovations—such as 'superwindows' and advanced daylighting—can reduce building energy use by 80-90% while improving productivity and well-being. The text highlights several case studies, including the ING bank headquarters in Amsterdam and DeMontfort University in England, to demonstrate that sustainable design can enhance financial performance and human health without increasing capital costs.

The Carol Avenue Apartments in Boston are undergoing a deep energy retrofit scheduled for completion in late 2024. The project focuses on transitioning a 33-unit, 1910-era property from fossil fuel-based systems to a fully electric infrastructure. By combining interior wall insulation, roof upgrades, and the installation of a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system, the property is estimated to reduce energy use by 55 percent. The addition of 65.3 kW of rooftop solar PV is projected to further increase total energy reduction to 64 percent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 41 percent.

The Greening the White House Project, initiated by the Clinton Administration in 1993, aims to transform the White House complex into a model of efficiency and environmental responsibility. The project employs a six-component approach: audits, a feasibility study, early actions, demonstration spaces, long-term initiatives, and technology transfer. Key efforts include upgrading the building envelope, improving lighting and HVAC systems, and implementing sustainable procurement. The project emphasizes an integrated design process to reduce resource consumption by potentially 50% or more while respecting the historic and security requirements of the site.