Retrofits and Renovations: Energy-Efficient Upgrades for Older Buildings in Los Angeles

Upgrade commercial buildings in Los Angeles with energy-efficient retrofits. Qualify for green incentives and meet LEED certification standards.

Introduction

Los Angeles is home to a vast number of older buildings, many of which were constructed before modern energy efficiency standards. As sustainability becomes a priority, retrofitting these buildings with energy-efficient upgrades is essential to reduce energy costs, enhance occupant comfort, and comply with evolving regulations.

Why Retrofit?

Older buildings often have inefficient HVAC systems, poor insulation, outdated lighting, and excessive energy consumption. Retrofitting helps to:

• Lower energy bills.
• Improve indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
• Increase property value.
• Ensure compliance with Title 24 Energy Code and Los Angeles Green Building Code (LAGBC).

Contribute to Los Angeles’ Climate Action Plan and sustainability goals.

Key Energy-Efficient Upgrades

1. HVAC System Upgrades

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in older buildings often consume excessive energy. Upgrades include:

• Installing high-efficiency HVAC systems with variable-speed drives: It is an effective way to improve energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and enhance indoor comfort. These systems adjust motor speeds based on real-time demand, optimizing performance and minimizing energy waste.
• Implementing demand-controlled ventilation (DCV): Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV) is a crucial upgrade for improving energy efficiency in older buildings. By adjusting ventilation rates based on real-time occupancy and indoor air quality (IAQ), DCV reduces unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining comfort and air quality.

2. Lighting Retrofits

Outdated lighting is one of the easiest areas to upgrade for energy savings:

• Replacing fluorescent and incandescent bulbs with LED lighting: Upgrading lighting systems by replacing outdated fluorescent and incandescent bulbs with LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting is one of the most cost-effective and impactful energy efficiency improvements for older buildings. LED technology significantly reduces energy consumption, lowers maintenance costs, and enhances lighting quality. LEDs use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and 30-50% less than fluorescent lamps, leading to substantial reductions in electricity costs. LEDs last 25,000–50,000 hours, compared to 1,000–2,000 hours for incandescent bulbs and 8,000–15,000 hours for fluorescents, reducing replacement frequency and maintenance costs.
• Installing occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting controls: Upgrading older buildings with occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting controls is an effective way to reduce energy waste, lower operational costs, and improve lighting efficiency. These smart lighting technologies automatically adjust artificial lighting based on occupancy and natural daylight levels, ensuring energy is only used when necessary. Occupancy sensors reduce lighting energy consumption by 30-50% in low-traffic areas by turning off or dimming lights when a space is unoccupied.
  

3. Building Envelope Improvements

Upgrading the building envelope—which includes walls, roofs, windows, doors, and insulation—is one of the most effective ways to improve energy efficiency in older buildings. A well-sealed and insulated envelope minimizes heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, reducing HVAC loads and enhancing occupant comfort. 

• Insulation Upgrades: Walls & Roofs: Add or upgrade spray foam, rigid board, or blown-in insulation to meet modern R-value standards. Prevent heat loss by sealing air leaks and adding insulation in under insulated areas. Installing a cool roof or high-reflectivity materials reduces heat gain.
• Window & Door Upgrades: Low-E (Low-Emissivity) Glass: Reduces heat transfer while maintaining natural daylight. Double or Triple Pane Windows: Provide better insulation than single-pane glass. Weather stripping & Caulking: Sealing gaps around doors and windows prevents air leaks. Storm Windows & Thermal Shades: Cost-effective solutions for improving existing window insulation.

4. Renewable Energy Integration

Integrating renewable energy into older buildings enhances sustainability, reduces dependence on fossil fuels, and lowers long-term operational costs. While older structures may present challenges such as space constraints or outdated electrical systems, strategic planning can make renewable energy integration feasible and effective. Installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.

• Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: Rooftop Solar Panels are Ideal for buildings with sufficient roof space and good sun exposure. Solar Carports & Canopies are Useful when roof conditions limit PV installation.  Community Solar Programs are for buildings with roof limitations, off-site solar farms provide shared renewable energy.
• Solar Thermal Systems (Water Heating & Space Heating): Solar Water Heating reduces reliance on gas or electric water heaters. Solar-Assisted HVAC supports heating and cooling loads by integrating with mechanical systems.
• Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs): Extracts heat from the ground to provide high-efficiency heating and cooling. Uses underground pipes to exchange heat, reducing reliance on traditional HVAC systems.

5. Water and Energy Efficiency Measures

Improving water and energy efficiency in older buildings reduces utility costs, minimizes environmental impact, and enhances long-term sustainability. These upgrades focus on optimizing HVAC, lighting, plumbing, and control systems to maximize efficiency while maintaining occupant comfort. 

• Low-Flow Fixtures & Water-Saving Plumbing: Install low-flow toilets, urinals, faucets, and showerheads to reduce water usage by 30-50%. Upgrade to sensor-based or touchless fixtures in restrooms to prevent unnecessary water flow. Retrofit dual-flush toilets for more control over water use. Water-saving fixtures typically pay back in 1-2 years.
• Greywater & Rainwater Harvesting Systems: Capture and reuse greywater from sinks and showers for irrigation or flushing toilets. Install rainwater harvesting systems with storage tanks for landscape irrigation. It can reduce municipal water consumption by 30-50%.

Incentives and Compliance Programs

In Los Angeles, several incentives and compliance programs are available to support energy-efficient upgrades for older buildings. These initiatives aim to reduce energy consumption, lower utility costs, and enhance building performance.

1. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Rebate Programs:

• Custom Performance Program (CPP): Offers rebates for installing energy efficiency measures such as lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration systems. 
• Commercial Lighting Incentive Program: Provides incentives for upgrading to energy-efficient lighting solutions.

2. Existing Buildings Energy & Water Efficiency (EBEWE) Program:

•  EBEWE Benchmarking: Requires annual reporting of energy and water usage for certain buildings to track and improve performance.Data.gov – Data.gov Dataset
• Audits and Retro-Commissioning (A/RCx): Mandates energy and water audits every five years to identify and implement efficiency improvements. 

3. Mandatory Retrofit Programs:

• Soft-Story Retrofit Program: Targets pre-1978 wood-frame soft-story buildings, requiring structural strengthening to improve earthquake resilience. 
• Non-Ductile Concrete Retrofit Program: Focuses on retrofitting older concrete buildings to enhance structural safety.

4. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Incentives:

• Energy-Efficient Commercial Building Deduction (EPAct 179D): Provides tax deductions of up to $5 per square foot for qualifying energy efficiency improvements. 
• Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) in California: Offers rebates for whole-home energy upgrades, with funding allocated to programs like the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program.

Why Choose Mintropy for Energy-Efficient Retrofits?

• Expertise in Older Building Challenges – Our Mintropy team understands the structural, mechanical, and electrical limitations of aging buildings and provides tailored solutions.
• Regulatory Compliance & Permitting Support – We navigate complex Los Angeles building codes and compliance programs to ensure a smooth approval process.
• Seamless Integration with Existing Infrastructure – We design upgrades that work with existing systems to minimize disruption and maximize ROI.
• Cost-Effective & Scalable Solutions – Our approach balances energy savings, budget constraints, and long-term sustainability.

Conclusion

Retrofitting older buildings in Los Angeles is a smart investment that benefits both property owners and the environment. Mintropy provides expert MEP solutions for energy-efficient renovations, ensuring compliance with local regulations while maximizing sustainability and cost savings. Contact us today to explore how we can upgrade your building for a greener future!