Published: May 2023
Organization: Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Format: Article
Estimated Reading Time: ~8 minutes
Why We Recommend It?
This guide offers a clear and actionable framework for any businesses—whether they are building owners or tenants—looking to improve energy efficiency and reduce climate impact. It outlines practical steps to approach retrofits strategically, including how to benchmark performance, plan upgrades, and assess return on investment. While the focus is broadly on energy-efficient renovations (rather than net-zero retrofits specifically), it features many of the same strategies and upgrades essential to deep retrofits that align with net-zero goals.
Though primarily written for businesses as building owners and tenants, this guide remains useful to all practitioners who may be involved in retrofit projects.
Key Takeaways
For Building Owners & Developers
- Retrofits should be seen as investment opportunities to enhance building value and long-term performance.
- A staged, system-wide approach can help maximize return on investment.
- Start with a comprehensive energy audit to guide upgrades, and follow up with ongoing performance monitoring to sustain energy savings.
For Designers & Consultants
- The guide offers a clear framework to support clients in planning, prioritizing, and phasing retrofits.
- Helps articulate both the technical and financial case for upgrades and enables more strategic project planning.
For Builders & Contractors
- Provides insight into how energy-efficient retrofits are scoped and sequenced, including coordination with other trades.
- Encourages contractors to align their work with evolving client expectations and construction trends.
Next Steps & Related Reading...
- Still exploring the value of carbon-neutral buildings? Dive deeper into our Business Case section for insights from different perspectives—or check out our Case Studies for real-world examples that bring the numbers to life.
- Want to know more about the building codes? Visit the Codes & Compliance section to learn more about how the national and regional codes are driving progress toward carbon-neutral buildings.