An Acorn Deck House Deep-Energy Retrofit – Grace Tisdale, Kaplan Thompson Architects

This Acorn Deck house, once slated for demolition, was transformed into a high-performing home after mold and moisture issues forced a complete rethink. Kaplan Thompson Architects and Warren Construction reimagined it with airtight detailing, generous glazing, and a blend of Maine camp and California design aesthetics — the before-and-after photos are stunning.

Retrofit of a 1948 poorly insulated oil-heated cape to low cost 100% electric – Steve Kahl, host of the WERU-FM Power for the People public affairs program

Steve’s 1948 home once burned 1,000 gallons of oil a year, but step by step upgrades (from insulation and heat pumps to solar PV and battery storage) have transformed it into a highly efficient, all-electric house. Annual energy costs have dropped from over $3,500 to little more than CMP’s $360 line charge, showing how rebates and smart choices can make net-zero living achievable in Maine.

Outcome of a “kit of parts” envelope retrofit pilot – Evan Smith, Highland Park Technologies Inc.

Highland Park Technologies’ retrofit of a three-story multifamily building in Dorchester, MA showcases their innovative overclad system — a 97% bio-based, insulated wall upgrade designed for speed, simplicity, and performance. With 60–80% less labor than traditional methods and cost-competitiveness with siding replacement, HPT’s “kit of parts” approach is paving the way for scalable, commercially available retrofit solutions by 2026.

Very High Efficiency HVAC Retrofit of a QSR: Fixing the worst of the worst – Barry Stephens, Ventacity Systems

Quick-serve restaurants are among the most energy-intensive buildings, with complex demands from ventilation, exhaust, and heating and cooling systems. By applying comprehensive planning and design, Ventacity shows that these facilities can cut energy use by 50% or more — proving that even the most challenging building types can achieve dramatic efficiency gains when the details are done right.

Decarbonizing Home: The Neverending Story – Elaine Gallagher Adams, AIA, LEED AP, CDP

Elaine’s 100-year-old Stonington cottage became a testbed for deep energy retrofit experiments — from battling drafts and decay to swapping out an oil boiler for an air-to-water heat pump while keeping her cozy radiators. With solar, battery storage, and hard-won lessons on what to keep and what to toss, her project challenges assumptions about historic homes, retrofit waste, and whether “new” really means “better.”

Low Income Home Upgrade – Tom Wilbur, Freeport Rotary Home Repairs Program

Launched in January 2025 and scheduled for completion in September, this project began as a simple shingle replacement and has since grown into a comprehensive home upgrade effort. Work to date has included removing a hazardous, unfinished porch; addressing basement flooding with a sump pump and drainage system; clearing decades of accumulated belongings; and closing off a basement garage door with membranes and barriers to redirect water.

No Utility Bills – Chris Spychalski

Chris’s 1989, 3,300 sq. ft. home demonstrates how older houses can be modernized with smart upgrades — from solar in 2018 that eliminated electricity bills, to an air-to-water heat pump integrated seamlessly with the original baseboards. Certified Pearl Gold and even generating revenue through a virtual power plant, this retrofit shows how incremental steps can add up to real performance and value.

Falkland Street Heritage Retrofit – Lorrie Rand, Habit Studio and The ReCover Initiative

The deep retrofit of an 1850s timber-frame house in Halifax demonstrates how historic buildings can be transformed to meet EnerPHit standards, achieving dramatic energy savings and serving as a public Passive House demonstration space. Designed by Habit Studio, the project has already cut heating demand by 88% and GHG emissions by 90%, showing both the challenges and the huge potential of decarbonizing older building stock in Nova Scotia.