Understanding the EnerPHit Certification for Retrofits

Retrofitting existing buildings for sustainability and energy efficiency is becoming increasingly vital in the face of global climate challenges. EnerPHit certification, an offshoot of the Passive House standard, is tailored to retrofits, offering a structured approach to enhancing overall building performance that aligns with sustainable building practices and offers sustainable economic and environmental benefits.

Key EnerPHit Strategies

• Thermal insulation improvement

  • Vital for minimizing heat loss, thus reducing heating demands.

• Enhancement of airtightness

  • A cornerstone in maintaining consistent indoor temperatures and improving overall energy efficiency.

• High-quality windows and ventilation systems

  • These components are crucial for enhancing comfort and reducing energy consumption without compromising air quality.

• Integration of renewable energy sources

  • Encourages sustainability and reduces dependency on non-renewable energy sources.

Top Considerations: Retrofitting for EnerPHit Compliance

When aiming to achieve EnerPHit compliance with retrofit projects, it’s necessary to carefully consider the essential factors to the success of energy-efficient retrofits. This includes addressing challenges in the adaptive reuse of industrial buildings, where maintaining structural integrity in tandem with updating energy systems is vital. Retrofitting buildings into habitable spaces poses unique roadblocks but offers a chance to preserve historical and cultural heritage while enhancing building functionality.

Benchmarking energy performance is another vital component, assisting in managing and improving efficiency through detailed energy use assessments. These strategies ensure that retrofitted buildings not only meet current energy standards but are also prepared for future sustainability demands.

Additionally, incorporating specific green retrofitting strategies is essential for achieving optimal results.

• Minimization of thermal bridges

  • Reduces heat loss areas that are typically difficult to insulate.

• Efficient heat generation and recovery systems

  • These systems are crucial for maintaining optimal temperature and air quality.

• Use of high-quality materials

  • Ensures durability and long-term performance of the retrofit project.

Retrofitting: The Economic and Environmental Impact

Retrofitting existing buildings offers significant investment and energy savings potential, which can have profound economic and environmental impacts. According to The Rockefeller Foundation, the U.S. alone could invest more than $279 billion in retrofitting residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. Such investments are projected to yield over $1 trillion in energy savings over ten years, significantly reducing energy consumption and contributing to climate mitigation efforts.

Retrofitting also serves a vital function in historic preservation, supporting the initiatives of national trusts and preservation advocacy groups. These groups are dedicated to maintaining historic buildings’ cultural heritage and architectural integrity, updating them to comply with contemporary energy standards. By achieving this balance, retrofitting ensures that historic structures can continue to benefit communities, preserving their historical significance while enhancing their sustainability.

The Path to EnerPHit Certification with GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci Systems

The GreenGirt CMH continuous insulation and SMARTci building enclosure systems are engineered to meet the high standards of energy efficiency required for EnerPHit certification in building retrofits.

• GreenGirt CMH™

  • The state-of-the-art continuous insulation system crucially eliminates thermal bridging and integrates seamlessly with existing building structures, making it a vital component for any retrofit project.

• GreenGirt CMH XO™ System

  • Designed for window applications, this system significantly improves window installations by eliminating common thermal bridging components such as through-wall metal, through-insulation fasteners, conductive metal angles, and inefficient wood-blocking. By aligning the thermal plane of the insulation with the window and removing the need for through-wall fastening, the GreenGirt CMH XO system substantially enhances the overall efficiency of the building envelope.

• GreenGirt CMH™ Roof System

  • The GreenGirt CMH Roof system redefines roofing standards by integrating a continuous insulation layer within its innovative structural composite metal hybrid sub-framing. This advanced design enhances the building’s thermal performance and contributes significantly to its overall energy efficiency and sustainability. By treating the roof as the “fifth wall,” this system acknowledges its critical role in envelope performance, ensuring a seamless, energy-efficient barrier against the elements.

• SMARTci® System

  • This advanced building enclosure system features GreenGirt CMH™ sub-framing, custom-profiled insulation panels, and essential accessories, creating an air- and water-tight barrier. Installed in a single pass, the SMARTci system achieves 92-99% thermal efficiency, eliminates thermal bypass, and offers up to 50% higher R-values than competing systems. This design not only enhances thermal performance but also ensures consistent energy efficiency across the entire facade.

These innovative systems ensure that retrofitted buildings meet and exceed the thermal performance requirements necessary for EnerPHit certification, leading to reduced operational costs and enhanced indoor environmental quality.

Retrofitting Today, for Tomorrow: Empowering Future Sustainability

The retrofitting landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by both technological advances and increasing government mandates such as the Inflation Reduction Act, which underscores a push toward energy efficiency and the preservation of historical buildings. GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems perfectly align with these trends by offering solutions that ensure longevity, superior quality, and simplified installation processes. This not only addresses labor shortages but also enhances the feasibility of retrofitting projects.

Recognizing the significant benefits of EnerPHit certification–from economic savings to environmental conversation–is crucial. Engineered retrofitting solutions like GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems help achieve high energy performance standards. They prepare buildings for current needs and future challenges.

We encourage building owners and developers to view these products as strategic tools for enhancing performance and achieving sustainability. For detailed insights into how these solutions can help meet and exceed EnerPHit certification, the article “Achieving the Passive House Standard with GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci” is available for further reference. Visit the Advanced Architectural Products’ website to learn more about how GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems can assist in reaching the EnerPHit certification.