| Thought of retrofitting your home? Wondered | | | | energy which is lost with the leaked out air (or |
| whether the time is right for it in spite of the | | | | leaked in for wasting energy as the case may |
| downward trend in economy? Home retrofitting | | | | be).o Water Heating-The quantity of Energy lost in |
| with energy conservation measures may be one | | | | heating and storage of hot water can be as high |
| way to apply breaks to this chaotic situation! | | | | as 40% of the total energy consumed by the |
| Why retrofit? | | | | system.o Cooling -Air conditioning really got going |
| Just ten years ago if you spoke to even your | | | | only during the middle of the last century. (It was |
| close associates about the necessity for | | | | in existence since the mid twenties though).New |
| conservation of energy and the environment | | | | innovations such as microprocessor controlled |
| probably you would have got stares in | | | | rotary, screw and the frictionless bearing fitted |
| bewilderment. If you remember the fuel was | | | | centrifugal compressors have made systems |
| available freely and aplenty. It was cheap too. | | | | very energy efficient. But the older systems do |
| China and India were just struggling to sort out | | | | suffer from irregular and poor maintenance in |
| their domestic problems. Pollution, Ozone Depletion | | | | addition to incorrect settings, worn out controls, |
| and Global Warming were just of academic | | | | inaccurate sensors, use of piston type |
| interest. You could manage your normal life style | | | | compressors etc. In most cases a few simple |
| (not necessarily extravagant) easily with what | | | | adjustments and clean up could make vast |
| you earn. | | | | improvements to the system energy efficiency.o |
| Ten years later energy and fossil fuels are in | | | | Heat Gains - many homes use excessive heating |
| short supply along with jobs and cash flow. The | | | | (or cooling) to compensate for wasted energy |
| most populace countries in the world China and | | | | due to incorrect landscaping, shading, non use of |
| India are newly immerging as industrial giants with | | | | multi glazing in windows, excessive air leakage, |
| the increased demand for energy creating | | | | internally generated heat, poor or perished |
| shortages elsewhere and with increased clamor | | | | insulation etc.o Distribution Systems-Loss of Heat |
| for lower energy prices and alternative sources of | | | | or (cooling) from ducts, un-insulated pipes in |
| energy. No wonder the economy is in recession | | | | unconditioned spaces etc.waste a significant |
| as it was never before. | | | | portion of the energy consumed by the furnaces, |
| In the field of energy more fuel efficient modes | | | | boilers, water heaters and air conditioners.o |
| of transport, cutting down on waste, | | | | Appliances and lighting-Refrigerators, Lighting, |
| conservation, improvement in efficiency even for | | | | entertainment systems, computers and other |
| bare energy needs have become the order of | | | | appliances waste energy due to obsolete designs, |
| the day. | | | | inadequate maintenance, negligent operation or |
| In the light of the above your home energy | | | | just the sheer number of appliances.o Human |
| budget has obviously would have dwindled and the | | | | Angle-The occupants awareness of the various |
| only way out seems to be an energy efficient | | | | aspects of energy wastage, their own |
| home. That's why right now a retrofit becomes a | | | | contribution to that wastage, care of the building |
| tool you cannot push aside. | | | | makes significant improvements to energy |
| Retrofit what? | | | | consumed by that building. |
| Experts have identified the following areas of | | | | The above list may not be exhaustive but will |
| energy wastage that home retrofitting would | | | | give you some idea of what is expected in a |
| provide an effective solution.o Heating - Seasonal | | | | retrofit. This is the right time for a home retrofit |
| efficiencies for fossil fuel Heating systems may | | | | because it is time for an economic revival (at |
| vary from 30% to 90% and lower efficiencies | | | | micro as well as mega levels).All savings will |
| are found in older installations.o Heat | | | | contribute towards this end. Moreover you can |
| Losses-Depending on the thermal resistance of | | | | get reimbursement of a good portion of your |
| the building envelope heat energy will leak out | | | | investment (if not all) from the environmental |
| from the high temperature side to the low | | | | authority in your country if you are residing in the |
| temperature side (which is outdoors during the | | | | developed world. With or without this benefit a |
| heating season).o Air Leakage-The living space is | | | | retrofit will bring in benefits to you for many |
| either heated up (or cooled depending on the | | | | years to come by way of reduced energy bills |
| season) to a comfortable level utilizing costly | | | | however much the tariffs will rise up. |