Home Retrofitting Services
"Retrofit" is an energy conservation measure that is applied to an existing building. If you own an existing home and would like to explore either retrofitting or remodeling, GCC recommends you begin your project with our Comprehensive Home Energy & Health Audit. Our Auditor Partners are true independent third party auditors offering you unbiased reporting and consulting of their findings.
If you have already received an Audit from one of our Auditor Partners or someone outside of our Network, call us today to help you develop and implement an action plan to implement your Auditor's recommended solutions.
Benefits of Using Green Collar Crew
- One-stop-shop from performing a Comprehensive Home Energy & Health Audit to developing your strategy to weatherization and retrofitting to final diagnostic testing and quality control.
- Access to the best energy and green trades and suppliers in the region. Trade Partners are required to complete our training program and follow strict guidelines to complete professional installation and service on time and within your budget.
Key Services
While each home is unique and requires its own specific solutions, we have found that most homes in our regions require or would benefit from one or more of our key services outlined below. GCC will work closely with your Auditor helping ensure the recommendations you choose are implemented by our Trade Partners to make your home more energy efficient, healthy & safe, comfortable, durable and environmentally responsible.
Air Sealing
Air Sealing a home is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a home more comfortable and energy-efficient. Air leakage through windows, doors, walls, rim bands, floors and ceilings has been shown to increase heating and cooling costs 35-40%. Unsealed chases and cavities by way of attics and crawl spaces bring unconditioned and unfiltered air into living areas. GCC Air Sealing Trade Partners use environmentally friendly caulks, foam, insulation board, etc. along with good building science to reduce air infiltration.
Air Sealing Fact Sheet
Advanced Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Diagnostics
Most likely, your HVAC systems are not performing at their optimal level. On average, systems perform at 60% of their capacity. If your Auditor determines your system(s) is performing poorly or is not properly balanced and typical Duct Renovation may not correct the problem, your Auditor may recommend more advanced diagnostics before moving forward with retrofitting. A highly trained HVAC Diagnostics Partner will perform comprehensive diagnostics to determine specific causes of the problems and recommend proper solutions.
Duct Performance Fact Sheet
Heating & Cooling Duct Renovation & Fresh Air
Leaky ducts are a leading cause of poor indoor air quality as pollutants are drawn into the system, re-circulated and distributed throughout the house through the heating and cooling systems. Leaky ducts also contribute significantly to a home’s energy loss. Our Duct Renovation Trade Partners use Duct Blaster® equipment to pinpoint leakages in the HVAC ductwork and measure sealing success. You will be provided with before and after leakage measurements to guarantee success. Typical duct renovation also includes straightening or replacing ducts, sealing air handlers with proper materials, hanging ducts where necessary, replacing registers to improve proper air throw and installing basic fresh air systems.
Insulation
Insulation is only effective if it is a continuous thermal barrier, with no air gaps or voids, and is in continuous contact with the air barrier or building envelope. Batt insulation is very often improperly installed, stuffed into stud cavities, with gaps and voids between the batt and the drywall. When insulation is compressed, it loses R value.
Our Insulation Trade Partners understand the building science behind proper installation and will work closely with your Auditor to determine the best products and insulation locations.
Insulation Tech Tips
Closed Crawl Space
A majority of the air you breathe in your home rises from your crawl space and it can be perfect for breeding moisture and mold which can create a musty smell and release toxins that can affect your family's health. Closing your crawl space keeps mold away with a high quality moisture barrier and converts it into a semi-conditioned dry space.
Closed crawl spaces have been proven to save homeowners money on their energy bill. Our well-trained Closed Crawl Space Trade Partners encapsulate, insulate, drain and air seal your foundations ensuring energy efficient and healthy crawl spaces.
Attic Stair Cover
You may have properly insulated your home's attic floor, but did you think about the attic drop down stairs or attic hatch? Do you have an open or non insulated whole house fan? These are basically big holes in the air barrier and thermal boundary and could be responsible for heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.
Our Weatherization Trade Partners complete the weatherization process by sealing these opening to the attic of your home. They insulate the attic access with an Attic Access Cover which is made to drop down and fit tightly over the opening of a home's attic access. The tent is made of rigid insulation board, with a high R-value rating, and is very light-weight and moveable for easy attic entry.
* Please note, GCC does not recommend weather-stripping a drop-down stair panel because it will eventually warp the door and will cause even more leakage. We also do not recommend putting insulation between the steps of the ladder since it decreases the room for your feet and may cause you to fall.
Attic Access Fact Sheet
Diagram of how to properly seal around an attic hatch.
Solar Water Heating
Solar heating harnesses the power of the sun to provide solar thermal energy for domestic hot water, solar space heating, and solar pool heaters. A solar heating system saves energy, reduces utility costs, and produces clean energy. With excellent federal tax credits and the best state tax credits in the nation, it may be time for you to finally go solar!
Solar Hot Water Heating Fact Sheet
Additional Services
Whatever energy or green services you require, Green Collar Crew can either connect you with one of our Partners or manage your project from design to final testing. Additional services include:
Green Design, Building and Remodeling
Home Energy & Health Audit
Home Building
Home Remodeling
Green Certification
Green Building Consulting
Passive Solar Design
Architecture
Engineering
Building Science Training
HVAC Load Calculation & Engineering
Energy
Air Sealing
Attic Stair Cover
HVAC Diagnostics & Pressure Balancing
HVAC Duct Renovations & Fresh Air – Level I
HVAC Duct Renovations & Fresh Air – Level II
HVAC Equipment Replacement – Level III
HVAC Crawl Make-up Air
HVAC Geothermal System
Radiant Flooring
Radiant Barrier
Solar Light Tube
Solar Water & Pool Heating
Photovoltaics
Energy Management Systems
Blown Cellulose Insulation
Batt Insulation
Dense Pack Insulation
Foam Spray Insulation
Water Heater Insulation
Electrical – Exhaust Fans & On-Demand Hot Water
Plumbing – Tankless Water Heating & Maintenance
Indoor Air Quality
Mold Inspection
Mold Remediation
Closed Crawl Space
Waterproofing
Fireplace
Radon Control
Pest Control
CO Detector
Air Quality Monitoring
Sitework & Miscellaneous
Landscape Design
Rain Catchment
Drought Resistant Landscaping
Gutters & Downspouts
Demolition
Material Reclamation
Green Living & Cleaning
Green Materials & Installation
Wood Flooring
Carpeting
Roofing
Window & Door Replacement
Window & Door Glass Tinting
Solar Window Screens
Cabinets
Countertops
Bath Fixtures & Appliances
Exterior Siding & Trim
Other Finishes
Lumber & Engineered Lumber
Concrete & Paving
Composite Decking
Painting