Retrofit upgrades existing buildings to improve performance and extend life—typically focusing on energy efficiency, comfort, and safety. The logic behind retrofit is that even extensive additive work to an old, inefficient building will still be better overall to the environment than the signficant embodied carbon emissions resulting from tearing down and building a new, more efficient building. Measures can include fabric improvements (insulation, airtightness), efficient heating/cooling and controls, ventilation, renewables, fire safety upgrades, and accessibility. Retrofit reduces operational carbon and cost while preserving embodied carbon already invested in the structure.
