Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This presentation’s goal is to demonstrate that even old, urban, residential dwellings can be retrofitted to reduce their energy load and make our homes more economical to run, own, and live in, and provide a healthier living environment.
Marcus de la fleur will dissect typical energy usages and point to the most common energy hogs, and how to address them. He will outline what type of base-data is needed to start a retrofit project (energy audit and/or energy model), and how to use that data to reduce the overall energy load.
Marcus will share the strategic three-step retrofit approach that gave him the biggest bang for the buck and significantly reduce the energy load of his 4500 sf Chicago two flat with three units.
First, he will describe his firsthand experience with building envelop improvements and the importance of good moisture management and Indoor Air Quality.
Second, he will explain his decisions on heating and cooling systems and share his experience with heat pump systems.
Third, he will discuss the addition of a renewable energy system (photovoltaic roof array), to power his building.
Finally, he will share various performance metrics, and data on cost savings thanks to the three-step retrofit process and the associated energy load reduction of the building.
Case Study based on 100+ year old masonry structures, but all may learn and benefit.
Attendee Knowledge level: basic familiarity with green building principles and lingo would be helpful.
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)**
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• GHI Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC)
• Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)
**State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/urban-and-old-residential-energy-retrofit-and-subsequent-savings
Speaker
Marcus de la fleur is a Landscape Architect at de la fleur LLC in Chicago.
He received his horticultural degree from the School of Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and obtained his Masters in Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield, in the UK.
He has contributed to the design of multiple large-scale sustainable projects in the U.S., some of them LEED registered or certified, and has extensive field experience in sustainable technologies through his past work in Germany, Switzerland, and Great Britain.
In addition to his work helping homeowners with sustainable stormwater management projects and native gardens, he dived head-first into the field of green buildings with a project to convert his 100+ year old Chicago two-flat into a net zero energy building.
He has a deep passion for everything sustainable, in the environmental, economic, and social sense, and continues his advocacy through presentations on sustainable storm water management and his personal experience with net zero.
Lessons Learned
1. Understand the critical role of Indoor Air Quality and effective moisture management in creating healthier living environments for urban residents.
2. Analyze energy usage patterns to identify the most significant contributors to energy consumption, which enhances safety by preventing system overloads and potential hazards.
3. Introduce strategic retrofit approaches that not only improve energy efficiency but also contribute to the overall welfare of building occupants through cost savings and improved living conditions.
4. Articulate the benefits of integrating renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic arrays, to support environmental sustainability and promote a resilient community.
This presentation’s goal is to demonstrate that even old, urban, residential dwellings can be retrofitted to reduce their energy load and make our homes more economical to run, own, and live in, and provide a healthier living environment.
Marcus de la fleur will dissect typical energy usages and point to the most common energy hogs, and how to address them. He will outline what type of base-data is needed to start a retrofit project (energy audit and/or energy model), and how to use that data to reduce the overall energy load.
Marcus will share the strategic three-step retrofit approach that gave him the biggest bang for the buck and significantly reduce the energy load of his 4500 sf Chicago two flat with three units.
First, he will describe his firsthand experience with building envelop improvements and the importance of good moisture management and Indoor Air Quality.
Second, he will explain his decisions on heating and cooling systems and share his experience with heat pump systems.
Third, he will discuss the addition of a renewable energy system (photovoltaic roof array), to power his building.
Finally, he will share various performance metrics, and data on cost savings thanks to the three-step retrofit process and the associated energy load reduction of the building.
Case Study based on 100+ year old masonry structures, but all may learn and benefit.
Attendee Knowledge level: basic familiarity with green building principles and lingo would be helpful.
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)**
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• GHI Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC)
• Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)
**State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/urban-and-old-residential-energy-retrofit-and-subsequent-savings
Speaker
Marcus de la fleur is a Landscape Architect at de la fleur LLC in Chicago.
He received his horticultural degree from the School of Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and obtained his Masters in Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield, in the UK.
He has contributed to the design of multiple large-scale sustainable projects in the U.S., some of them LEED registered or certified, and has extensive field experience in sustainable technologies through his past work in Germany, Switzerland, and Great Britain.
In addition to his work helping homeowners with sustainable stormwater management projects and native gardens, he dived head-first into the field of green buildings with a project to convert his 100+ year old Chicago two-flat into a net zero energy building.
He has a deep passion for everything sustainable, in the environmental, economic, and social sense, and continues his advocacy through presentations on sustainable storm water management and his personal experience with net zero.
Lessons Learned
1. Understand the critical role of Indoor Air Quality and effective moisture management in creating healthier living environments for urban residents.
2. Analyze energy usage patterns to identify the most significant contributors to energy consumption, which enhances safety by preventing system overloads and potential hazards.
3. Introduce strategic retrofit approaches that not only improve energy efficiency but also contribute to the overall welfare of building occupants through cost savings and improved living conditions.
4. Articulate the benefits of integrating renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic arrays, to support environmental sustainability and promote a resilient community.
