Downstream Benefits of Retrofitting Aged DoD Building Stock with a Focus on Increasing Building Envelope Efficiency

Abstract

This report examines the downstream benefits of retrofitting current building stock on Department of Defense (DOD) installations. A holistic approach is necessary to achieve the objectives laid out by the executive branch to achieve a net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045. Current procurement standards address this objective with new construction; however, most buildings within the DOD stock were built ahead of these initiatives and 29% have exceeded their life expectancies. Since this represents a large portion of the DOD building stock, priority should be given to building envelope retrofit projects to reduce the thermal demand in a logically sequenced approach toward net-zero goals. These initial steps are necessary to improve efficiencies that will lead to reduced demand and facilitate downstream investments in alternative and reduced-emissions systems. This report utilized a case study done at NPS that highlights the savings achieved from buildings with tight envelopes and investigated funding streams to achieve these goals.