Why Deep Energy Retrofit?

As the name would imply, DER measures are intended to provide deep reductions to energy use. Energy savings are not the only reason to undertake a DER, however. A DER project typically provides many benefits beyond energy savings. A successful DER will bring important improvements to comfort within the home and to durability of components affected by the DER. A DER project may be undertaken in pursuit of passive survivability, to reduce carbon footprint, to eliminate maintenance burdens, or to make strides toward energy independence. DER measures may be incorporated into projects bringing long-sought aesthetic updates (such as installing new siding) or improvements (such as remodeling a basement) to a home. Persons undertaking retrofit projects do so for many different reasons. And DER projects are capable of delivering benefits responding to a variety of different objectives. In considering the investment in DER, it is only logical that the comprehensive costs for the project be evaluated relative to all the benefits. Although there may not be specific quantitative methods to apportion costs among various benefits, the cost should be recognized as shared among various benefits.