
Resources
Planning Tools for Potential Projects
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Homeowner Priorities Worksheet
The Homeowner Priorities Worksheet helps a household (and project team) clarify their priorities in order to make the value proposition for a proposed deep energy retrofit project. This supports the design process and improves communication with the project team (or family members) as well. (Updated 10/28/20)
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Health, Safety, and Durability Plan
Heal-Saf-Durability Have-a-Plan raises issues that may be relevant to a retrofit project's success and begins to document health, safety, and durability considerations within the scope of work. This references US EPA "Healthy Indoor Environmental Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades" available via www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/retrofits.html.
NOTE: The EPA document was designed to address energy upgrades in existing homes, however, the recommendations do not necessarily reflect the best option for low energy homes. For example, it is usually preferable to eliminate an emission source such as a gas cooking stove, rather than to spot ventilate. (Updated 10/28/20)
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Reduction Matrix
The Reduction Matrix can be used for any proposed or potential 1000 Home Challenge project. It is used to allocate energy use and reductions in order to better understand how a project will meet the project's target use. Instructions are in the first worksheet. (Updated 5/12/15)
Download the Spreadsheet -
10 Steps to Deep Energy Reductions
Ten Steps to Deep Energy Reductions provides a framework for assessing and implementing a deep energy reduction project for a specific dwelling. (Updated 03/27/11)
Download the PDF -
Principles for Smart Staging
Principles for Smart Staging: If doing an "All-at-Once" project is not an option, consider these principles as you plan a staged approach to deep reductions. (Updated 10/28/20)
Download the PDF -
Home Energy Heating Calculator Worksheets
Home Energy Heating Calculator Worksheets: The two worksheets in this spreadsheet allow you to compare the cost of heating using different energy sources and systems (1st tab), as well as converting energy sources to MMBtu and kWh (second tab).
Thanks to Bob Davis, Ecotope, for the enhancements and permission to use the cost calculator. The energy conversion table was extracted from the 1000 Home Challenge Threshold Calculator developed by Michael Blasnik. (Updated 05/05/16)
Download the Spreadsheet -
Paths to Thermal Comfort
Paths to Thermal Comfort stimulates out of the box thinking to support the examination of a full array of solutions to reduce heat loss or heat gain and to enhance thermal comfort. (Updated 10/28/20)
Download the PDF -
Guiding Principles for Deep Energy Reductions
Guiding Principles for Deep Energy Reductions - Draft: What are the universal principles that define and guide deep energy reduction projects? What is missing? How can the wording be improved? Help clarify the principles that guide deep energy reduction projects. (Updated 03/26/11)
Download the PDF
Deep Energy Reductions
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Resources on
SuperinsulationLinks that lead to a treasure trove of websites, case studies, reports, initiatives, and blogs with diverse perspectives addressing deep energy retrofits. Updated 04/16/14.
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Deep Energy Reductions
in Existing HomesPaper for the 2008 ACEEE Summer Study by Linda Wigington.
Download the PDF -
Home Energy
MagazineClimate Solutions Issue in 2008
Moving Toward Carbon Neutrality/Nine Steps to Deep Reductions by Linda Wigington.
Read the Article -
Moving Existing Homes
Toward Carbon NeutralityThis White Paper by Linda Wigington, Special Projects Director ACI, was inspired by the July 2007 ACI Summit.
Click here to download this PDF
Webinars

Webinars Archive
Read, listen to and download presentation files from previous webinars. Some topics have included:
- High Performance Hot Water
- Analyzing Electricity Use
- Ductless Heat Pumps
- ...and more!
Other Resources

Approaching Net Zero Energy in Existing Homes
CMHC report detailing benefits, barriers, and progression to net zero energy performance. This 187-page report details the benefits, barriers, and progression to net zero energy performance. Appendix A features decision trees integrating historical, physical, and durability challenges with deep energy retrofits.
Download the PDFNCAT Major Retrofits - 1984
NCAT document offers historical perspective, construction details, etc.
Download the PDFInspiring Deep Energy Retrofits for Homes
ACHR News covered the Thousand Home Challenge and the exciting results that participants have had in retrofitting their homes to be more energy efficient.
Read the Article