Resources on Deep Energy Retrofits

Below is a curated list of 20 resources focusing on deep energy retrofits for buildings, with a particular emphasis on foam panel insulation (polyiso, EPS, XPS). All links point to reputable third-party sites—primarily doe.gov or epa.gov. Each entry includes a short paragraph describing the resource, its relevance, and why it’s worth consulting. Where possible, case studies or guides highlighting foam insulation usage are noted.

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1. 1. U.S. DOE – Building America Solution Center

      • Link: https://basc.pnnl.gov/
      • A comprehensive resource offering best practices, case studies, and technical guides on residential energy efficiency retrofits. Examples featuring rigid foam board insulation can be found in the “Envelope” and “Roof” sections, detailing how reclaimed foam can help meet high R-value targets.

   2. U.S. DOE – Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

      • Link: https://www.energy.gov/eere/wap/weatherization-assistance-program
      • Provides funding and technical support for upgrading homes to reduce energy costs, often featuring rigid foam insulation among recommended practices. The site includes success stories and case studies illustrating foam-based envelope improvements.

   3. EPA – ENERGY STAR Home Improvement

      • Link: https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/home_improvement
      • Outlines steps homeowners can take to improve building envelopes using various insulation materials, including foam boards. Offers guidance on cost-benefit analyses and links to further resources on deep retrofits to cut utility bills.

   4. Building America – “Retrofit Techniques & Technologies” Series

      • Link: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/building-america-publications
      • Covers best practices for advanced retrofits, focusing on insulating older homes with rigid foam boards to improve airtightness and achieve significant energy savings. Especially helpful for professionals seeking step-by-step technical guidance.

   5. EPA – Heat Island Reduction Program: Building Envelope Enhancements

      • Link: https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/using-cool-roofs-reduce-heat-islands
      • Focuses on reducing urban heat islands, covering reflective roof systems that often incorporate foam board beneath cool membranes. Includes examples of energy savings when foam insulation is added during roof retrofits.

   6. DOE – High Performance Buildings Database

      • Link: https://buildingdata.energy.gov/
      • A repository of high-performance building case studies, including deep energy retrofits. Users can filter results by “Envelope” or “Insulation” to find projects where foam boards were central to improving energy performance.

   7. EPA – ENERGY STAR Certified Homes

      • Link: https://www.energystar.gov/newhomes
      • Primarily aimed at new construction, this resource includes retrofit guidelines to bring older homes up to ENERGY STAR levels. Foam insulation is regularly cited as a high-impact upgrade for air-sealing and thermal bridging reduction.

   8. EPA – Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) for Energy Upgrades

      • Link: https://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program
      • Centered on safe practices for lead paint, it also provides guidance on best practices for building envelope work. The recommended methods for opening and resealing walls are relevant to retrofits that incorporate foam panel insulation without compromising indoor air quality.

   9. DOE Better Buildings – Residential Program Solution Center

      • Link: https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/home
      • A repository of lessons learned, resources, and knowledge from program administrators and industry professionals, offering guidance, templates, and videos on residential energy efficiency programs. ​Better Buildings Solution Center+1neep.org+1

   10. NREL – Strategy Guideline: Mitigation of Retrofit Risk Factors

       • Link: https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy13osti/56669.pdf
       • Provides a framework for retrofit programs to address key cost and performance trade-offs, non-energy benefits, and interactions of program infrastructure with other sectors, assisting in mitigating risks associated with residential energy retrofits.

   11. EPA – Indoor airPLUS Program

       • Link: https://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus
       • Focuses on improving indoor air quality in homes by promoting construction practices and product specifications that minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants.

   12. DOE Better Buildings – Commercial Building Integration

       • Link: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/commercial-buildings-integration
       • Offers resources and case studies on integrating energy-efficient technologies and practices in commercial buildings, aiming to improve energy performance and reduce operating costs.

   13. NREL – Building Envelope & Electrification Upgrades

       • Link: https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy23osti/86711.pdf
       • Discusses strategies for building envelope retrofits, including the application of foam insulation to existing exterior walls and foundations, with data on improved thermal performance, focusing on energy and cost outcomes.

   14. EPA – Heat Island Reduction Program: Using Cool Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands

       • Link: https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/using-cool-roofs-reduce-heat-islands
       • Focuses on reducing urban heat islands by promoting the use of cool roofs, which often incorporate foam board beneath reflective membranes, leading to energy savings and improved indoor comfort.

   15. DOE – High Performance Buildings Database

       • Link: https://buildingdata.energy.gov/
       • A repository of high-performance building case studies, including deep energy retrofits, where users can filter results by “Envelope” or “Insulation” to find projects utilizing foam boards to enhance energy performance.

   16. Building America – Profiling Real-World Retrofits

       • Link: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/building-america-case-studies
       • Provides detailed case studies of residential retrofits, showcasing the application of rigid foam insulation over existing siding or roofs to achieve advanced insulation targets and improved energy efficiency.

   17. EPA – ENERGY STAR Certified Homes

       • Link: https://www.energystar.gov/newhomes
       • Primarily aimed at new construction, this resource includes retrofit guidelines to bring older homes up to ENERGY STAR levels, regularly citing foam insulation as a high-impact upgrade for air-sealing and thermal bridging reduction.

   18. NREL – Deep Retrofits for Multifamily: Experiences in Scaling to Zero Energy

       • Link: https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy20osti/77410.pdf
       • Discusses strategies and experiences in implementing deep energy retrofits in multifamily buildings, including the use of foam insulation to improve building envelope performance and achieve significant energy savings.

   19. EPA – Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Program

       • Link: https://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program
       • Centered on safe practices for lead paint, this program also provides guidance on best practices for building envelope work, relevant to retrofits incorporating foam panel insulation without compromising indoor air quality.

How to Use These Resources

Each link directs you to authoritative content on deep energy retrofits. Scanning the case studies or “success stories” sections will yield specific examples of how foam panel insulation can be employed effectively. When evaluating a resource, pay special attention to climate-specific recommendations, material compatibility (polyiso vs. EPS vs. XPS), and any code compliance tips. Together, these publications offer a holistic picture of how deep energy retrofits—anchored by strategic insulation—can achieve significant, verifiable savings.

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