Why Is Retrofitting Old Buildings a Smart Choice?

Retrofitting older buildings has become increasingly popular in Ireland, and you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. Put simply, retrofitting is not only beneficial for the building itself, it’s also vital for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions . The built environment accounts for almost 40% of our GHG emissions globally, therefore taking action will support us in meeting our long-term climate targets.

What Is Retrofitting?

Retrofitting is the process of upgrading an existing building with new materials and technologies, with the goal of making the building more energy efficient and sustainable. This typically involves installing modern insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, fitting renewable energy systems like solar panels, and improved heating or ventilation systems to reduce energy consumption, lower running costs, and enhance overall comfort.

Why Is It Important?

Ireland is home to a rich architectural heritage. From Georgian houses to stone cottages and historic public buildings, the story of our past is all around us. However, many of these buildings were built long before energy efficiency or climate impact were a consideration. As a result, many older buildings consume far more energy than modern buildings. For example, poor insulation in particular leads to a building quickly losing the heat it generates, which results in more energy being required to keep the building interior warm. This leads to higher running costs and a worse carbon footprint.

What Are the Benefits?

Energy Savings

According to the Central Statistics Office, F and G-rated buildings consume 38% more gas and 60% more electricity than A and B-rated buildings. While initial installation costs may seem high, the long-term savings from reduced energy usage is significant, especially with energy prices continuing to rise.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

Ireland has committed to ambitious carbon reduction goals under the Climate Action Plan. According to the Irish Green Building Council, 23% of our national greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy we use to heat, cool and light our buildings. Retrofitting not only goes a long way to minimising this impact, but it also is an essential step in meeting our long-term climate targets.

How Do I Get Started?

Learn how to get started at ENACT – Enabling Commercial Building Retrofit, or head over to our Training section for more.