Upgrade Insight: Fitting New Tools and Gathering Information

In the quest for a more sustainable future, various tools and resources have emerged to facilitate deep energy retrofits, improve heating efficiency, and enhance building energy performance. Here's a roundup of some of the leading energy efficiency tools and resources across the USA, UK, Australia, Europe, and globally.

USA

The USA's energy efficiency landscape is marked by tools that support holistic retrofit approaches, such as FortisBC's collaboration in British Columbia, which integrates triple-glazed windows, air barriers, and coordinated consultancy for energy savings. Data tools and platforms linked to energy performance contracts and green bonds are crucial for mobilizing investment towards retrofits.

In the UK, government-backed incentives like the "Green Homes Grant" and extensive smart meter and heat pump installations provide a framework for retrofit assessments and implementations. The UK market leads in integrating smart meters and heat pumps to retrofit residential and public buildings.

Europe

Europe's energy efficiency tools are strongly driven by the EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and EcoDesign directives. These tools support mass-market adoption of LED lighting, smart HVAC systems, and building automation. National programs like Germany's KfW Energy Efficiency Program and France’s MaPrimeRénov subsidies also provide structured frameworks and data resources for retrofitting.

Australia

While specific tools were not highlighted in the search results, strategies for improved heating efficiency, including heat pump retrofits, are applicable broadly. Retrofit strategies typically focus on heating efficiency improvements, which are central in many temperate regions including Australia.

Global

Energy efficiency data resources and retrofit apps commonly feature energy modeling and simulation software, building performance assessment tools, incentive and rebate databases, energy audit and retrofit planning applications, smart energy management platforms, financial modeling and incentive tracking tools, and data resources and benchmarks.

Notable global tools include the Building Efficiency Targeting Tool for Energy Retrofits (BETTER), which provides information on a building's emissions and energy costs, and offers recommendations for efficiency. BUILD UP, a one-stop-shop for energy-efficient buildings in the European Union, has a skills section that tracks the progress of green tech training for professionals in each country.

In the USA, Energy Star offers a personalized tool for choosing energy-efficient appliances, renovations, and habits. CoachCopro, a France-based online interface, connects residents of condominiums with expertise at all stages of their retrofit journey.

CRREM, a unique tool used for assessing the risk of buildings being 'stuck' between early energy-efficient improvements and not achieving the ever-increasing standards as expectations and technology improve, is particularly useful in France. Although rather dated now, NREL's OpenStudio Application Suite helps anyone model renovation work on their property.

C40's Benefits of Building Retrofits Toolkit provides insights into the health, social, and economic benefits of retrofitting individual buildings. The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory offers wind-related data such as maps and geospatial tools for North and South America and beyond.

An interactive policy map in the UK allows checking local and regional policies for retrofitted and new build energy efficiency. In the UK, there is an easy search function for finding energy efficiency reports of buildings.

In summary, leading retrofit tools and resources across the USA, UK, Australia, Europe, and globally are a blend of software for energy modeling and monitoring, government-backed rebate and incentive programs, and data platforms supporting building performance standards, with notable regional initiatives shaping specific tool adoption and development. These resources collectively enable deep energy retrofits, reduce emissions, and advance sustainable building modernization.

The collaboration in British Columbia, FortisBC, employs tools such as triple-glazed windows, air barriers, and consultancy for energy savings, encouraging holistic retrofit approaches within the USA.
The Green Homes Grant in the UK offers a framework for retrofit assessments and implementations, with a focus on smart meters and heat pump installations.
Europe's EcoDesign directives and other tools support the mass-market adoption of LED lighting, smart HVAC systems, and building automation, driven by the EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
In Australia, while specific tools were not highlighted, heat pump retrofits are applicable for improving heating efficiency, a crucial aspect in many temperate regions.
Global tools like BETTER and BUILD UP provide energy modeling and simulation software, building performance assessment tools, financial modeling and incentive tracking tools, and data resources and benchmarks, thereby facilitating deep energy retrofits and reducing emissions across the globe.