What is Retrofitting?
Last updated February 13, 2026
Last updated February 13, 2026

One of our main goals here at RetroGreen Energy is to use high performance insulation and building science to improve home performance and energy efficiency. We retrofit existing buildings with an insulation system that will keep a regulated, comfortable temperature inside, and Mother Nature’s air outside. You may have heard of the term “retrofitting,” but do you understand what it is?
Retrofitting is the process of updating your home to make it energy efficient. We typically see this with older buildings that have high energy bills. Retrofitting will significantly lower your energy bills and decrease energy demand. Heating, cooling, and lighting costs will drop significantly.
Increasing input and reducing emissions is not only good for your wallet, but good for the environment. Greenhouse gas emissions are leading to climate change, and one of the ways people are trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is by focusing on energy efficient commercial and residential buildings. This means new buildings should be built to use fewer fossil fuels, and older buildings that aren’t energy efficient should invest in retrofitting. Residential buildings and homes contribute a large percentage to the nation’s energy consumption, and therefore the reliance on fossil fuels that leads to greenhouse gas emissions.
Not only will retrofitting conserve energy, it will create a high-performance building. You will create a more comfortable environment in the home or office, which in turn will help improve air quality for occupants. You won’t need to worry about moisture leaks and mold. Additionally, because you are making your home safer and more comfortable, it increases property value and makes it easier to sell.
The process of retrofitting begins with an energy audit or survey. We’ll analyze the results, and then discuss options with you to improve your home. This usually means air sealing your home, and then proceeding with RetroFoam injected insulation, spray foam insulation, or blown cellulose insulation, and new windows.
Retrofitting does have an upfront cost, but it provides endless savings in the long run and deems itself one of the best returns on investment (ROI) when it comes to energy efficiency. Think of it way: everybody would be happy with a 10% ROI in the stock market, right? Insulating your home is a no risk, non-taxed investment strategy that can add value to your home and give you comfort all year long. Give us a call today if you’d like to discuss more about retrofitting your home.
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Chris didn't start RetroGreen Energy because he wanted to be in the insulation business. He started it because he wanted to fix homes the right way.
After earning his BPI Building Analyst certification and Minnesota Building Contractor license, Chris spent years studying how homes perform as systems. He saw firsthand that most comfort and energy problems weren't caused by old windows or outdated furnaces — they were caused by air leakage and inadequate insulation that nobody was diagnosing properly.
In 2009, he launched RetroGreen Energy with a commitment to doing things differently. Every project would start with proper diagnostics. Every recommendation would be based on data, not sales targets. And every homeowner would get the honest truth about what their home actually needed.
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