Retrofit Canada

Directions Website

Retrofit Canada Retrofit Canada is an open-source, deep energy retrofit non-profit. We want to start a movement to make existing homes net-zero.

A large portion of greenhouse gases come from the buildings we use right now. 70 per cent will still be standing in 2050. We can’t address climate change just by building new net-zero homes. We need solutions that make the homes we live in right now net-zero to preserve a liveable climate. Deep Energy Retrofits are the solution.

10/13/2026

We've doubled the # of duplex case studies in our library. Now we have two! 😎

But this retrofit is unique in other ways too. It's only the second post-2000 home in the library, and it was originally constructed to R-2000 standards.

That called for a surgical retrofit that built on the home's existing efficiency, combining electrification, on-demand hot water, solar, and targeted airtightness improvements.

The building had a narrow north-south lot, surrounding trees, and only 1.5 kW of solar to start. The retrofit added another 6.3 kW using the available roof area—including north-facing slopes.

The result? A 44% reduction in energy use.

Read the case study: https://buff.ly/6UEIDha


09/22/2026

What’s this?! Another HSS Design Build . HSS used digital capture technology to create a 3D model for designing and prefabricating walls.

What makes this project unique is that both the walls and the insulation were made of .

The case study also offers practical lessons on dealing with setbacks, local codes, and sequencing in phased retrofits.

Read the case study here: https://buff.ly/E1ArTjY


09/15/2026

If your raison d'être is documenting residential retrofits, there's nothing better than pairing a retrofit pioneer with homeowners as devoted to the cause—and the data—as we are.

Enter Peter Amerongen, our co-founder, and two homeowners from southeastern Ontario who have meticulously documented their phased retrofit over the past three years.

The result is one of the most detailed case studies in our library, packed with practical lessons for homeowners who can't afford to go all the way to net zero in a single renovation. If a phased retrofit is your only realistic path, this case study is worth your time.

It all starts with one question: Which house should we buy?

https://buff.ly/9kmCROH



09/08/2026

What business does a 1979-manufactured home have making any claim to energy efficiency?

Well, if it's been wrapped in a super-insulated, wood-fibre prefabricated exterior wall system, the answer is: plenty.

This HSS Design Build project explores the promise of Energiesprong-inspired, panelized retrofits in Canada, while honestly documenting the challenges—including a notoriously leaky crawlspace that became the home's biggest source of heat loss.

Give it a read. It's another detailed case study from building experts helping crack the residential retrofit puzzle.

https://retrofitcanada.com/case-studies/canmore-manufactured-home-wood-fibre-peer



09/03/2026

This 1958 bungalow is literally bigger and better. Even with expanded conditioned space, it now produces more energy than it uses, making it the North Shore's first certified whole-home net-zero energy retrofit.

Read the case study—it's one of the most in-depth overviews of a net-zero retrofit in our library.

https://buff.ly/TPsOVsF



Join Retrofit Canada and our friends over at Sustainable Buildings Canada on July 9 for a free webinar about residential...
06/25/2026

Join Retrofit Canada and our friends over at Sustainable Buildings Canada on July 9 for a free webinar about residential retrofits.

Our executive director, Rebecca Pinto, Ph.D., P.Eng., will present our case study library, the largest repository of real-world residential in the country.

SBC's EnergySPRING team will share tools and guides developed to support affordable housing providers and municipal asset managers in planning and implementing
deep energy retrofits using the -inspired model.

Register now! https://buff.ly/57aScUm

06/10/2026

This three-phase, ready used AeroBarrier, , and to reduce the home's energy needs by almost 80 percent, all without any of the usual demolition needed to upgrade an envelope.

The homeowner (also the energy advisor) followed up with us after one year of living in the home to share an analysis of their energy consumption and utility costs. The conclusion? The project was a successful proof of concept that delivered significant energy reductions and utility cost savings.

Read the case study and the one-year report here: https://buff.ly/40jk2EJ

05/26/2026

The Fully Monty Case Study is a fantastic example of a passive house–informed, net-zero-ready retrofit. There are several useful takeaways from the project, particularly regarding materials, system choices, and embodied-carbon planning.

One key lesson is the value of completing a carbon emissions analysis before the project starts. Doing this early helps estimate embodied carbon and supports more informed decisions around materials and design approaches that may reduce overall impact.

A few material-related observations from the project:
- XPS foam is relatively carbon-intensive, and GPS foam was used as a lower-carbon alternative for sub-grade applications
- Low-carbon concrete can help reduce foundation-related emissions
- 3/8” plywood was preferred over 7/16” OSB for vapour diffusion and workability in high-performance assemblies

On systems and detailing:
- Subsoil preheat systems for HRVs are now available off-the-shelf and can support cold-climate performance
- Wall and roof cellulose insulation is best installed through the WRB and/or wood fibre board sheathing, rather than from the attic space, where possible
- High-performance door installation strategies remain an area for further refinement and research

Homeowner feedback, to the surprise of no retrofitter anywhere, was that the house no longer had any hot or cold spots and was more comfortable.

The project highlights how early carbon planning, material selection, and envelope detailing all contribute to both operational performance and embodied carbon outcomes.

Case study: https://buff.ly/NGCjGuG
Webinar: https://buff.ly/O3Gh19r

Address

Edmonton, AB

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Retrofit Canada posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category