WINDOW RETROFITS: Demonstrated need for targeted public program in Tucson, AZ

Abstract

Buildings account for over a third of U.S. energy consumption, and roughly a third of that is used for environmental conditioning. To achieve a sustainable future, we need to address the consumption of our existing buildings that do not benefit from advancements made in new construction. This study targeted a single feature previously identified in sustainable retrofits that appears to be lacking in change, window retrofits. The study focuses on Tucson, Arizona to identify a need and support for a social financing program to support the high upfront cost of completing large-scale window retrofits in urban areas. Green retrofit success is predicated on financial and policy support, which are missing in Arizona, lacking support for window retrofits in its existing sustainability programs. This study shows that nearly 40% of homes in Tucson are still operating single-pane windows and that implementation cost acts as a barrier to homeowner action. With appropriate funding, an estimated savings of $45M in annual energy production could be achieved.