Jacob Racusin
Username
Jacob Racusin
Proposer First Name
Jacob
Proposer Email
jacob@newframeworks.com
Proposer Last Name
Racusin
Proposer Company/Organization
New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
Proposer Phone
(802) 782-7783
Boston 2022 Areas of Focus
Proposer Job Title
Managing Partner
Proposed Session Description
As buildings become part of the climate change solution, more building professionals and their customers want to know how they can reduce carbon emissions in home retrofits. The presenters conducted a research study to answer this question by assessing the net carbon impact of insulation and air sealing upgrades when accounting for both embodied carbon emissions of materials and operational carbon reductions associated with decreased energy use from weatherization upgrades. This research, built off a study the previous year focused specifically on the embodied carbon emissions of weatherization, helps answer critical questions about the climate impacts of weatherization practices. In this presentation, we will present the results of the study, explore implications for best practices in the weatherization field, and answer audience questions.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
This session, presented by a majority woman panel, will look at the intersection of climate impact and economic justice, by focusing on a field of the market - namely, residential weatherization - that is frequently ignored by better-funded markets such as institutional/commercial or custom new residential construction. This market encompasses low-income communities frequently living in under-performing buildings, and explores how these buildings can be improved to the benefit of their occupants as well as the climate. The presenters’ business (VIA, New Frameworks) are minority/women-owned businesses.
Learning Objectives
Define and differentiate between embodied and operational carbon emissions
Quantify the relative scales of embodied and operational carbon emissions in residential weatherization
Analyze the time frame in which embodied and operational carbon emissions occur in residential weatherization, and how this applies to developing retrofit strategies
Identify different approaches for a variety of specific retrofit measures, and their relative impact on embodied and operational carbon emissions.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Additional Comments
The presenters have presented prior research on this topic at BE21 as part of a research panel, however this is novel research that has not been presented prior to this application.
Session Format
Presentation followed by facilitated discussion or breakout groups
Recommended Length
60-minute session
90-minute session
Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2022
Comments about your speaker roster
The project team has developed a strong rapport throughout the development of this research study and is highly motivated to bring this content in an engaging and inspiring format to galvanize action by the audience. Megan and Jacob, having presented prior research at previous BE sessions, are excited to update the audience with the latest in their work in this field.
Reviewer 1
Hatch, Jen
Reviewer 2
Veerkamp, Danny
Curator
Boettcher, Dave
Proposal #
142
Session #
306
Committee Decision
Accepted
Presenters
Full Description
Energy retrofits are commonly undertaken to reduce the climate impact of a building’s operational performance by saving energy. However, many of the materials used in these retrofits are among some of the highest carbon-emitting materials in the built environment. By assessing both the embodied carbon impacts as well as the operational energy reductions and associated emission reductions over time, we can move the industry quickly towards much lower impact weatherization practices and reduce emissions in the immediate term. Research into this field of study is novel, and as active practitioners, the information presented will be actionable and relevant to the industry for immediate application.