The Retrofit Podcast
The Retrofit Podcast
Green Building Advisor
The Retrofit Podcast, the official podcast of Green Building Advisor, focuses on renovating homes in the era of climate change. In each episode, host Ryan Shanahan interviews industry experts to learn more about the challenges facing the construction industry and discuss solutions to creating a better performing, truly sustainable built environment.
#011: The Retrofit Podcast Episode 11: Sean Armstrong and Electrofits
In this episode of the Retrofit Podcast, host Ryan Shanahan talks with Sean Armstrong, founder and principal of Redwood Energy. Ryan and Sean talk all about energy, including developing multi-family net zero projects as well as energy retrofits on a budget, keeping things affordable, and electrofits.
Jun 2, 2023
1 hr
#010: Alan Howze and a Whole House Retrofit
In this episode of the Retrofit Podcast, host Ryan Shanahan talks with Alan Howze, who's undertaken a whole house retrofit on his own home in the midwest. Ryan and Alan discuss his experience balancing energy needs, comfort, trying to find the right contractors to work with, and all of the other surprises you find when renovating old houses.
May 19, 2023
1 hr 1 min
#009: Gary Klein, Hot Water and Energy Efficiency
In this episode of the Retrofit Podcast, host Ryan Shanahan talks with Gary Klein, who provides consulting on sustainability with a particular emphasis on hot water. Gary and Ryan go deep on residential plumbing, hot water delivery, good showers, and more.
May 5, 2023
1 hr 15 min
#008: Lloyd Alter, author of Living the 1.5 Degree Lifestyle
In this episode of the Retrofit Podcast, host Ryan Shanahan talks with Lloyd Alter, Green Building Advisor columnist and author of Living the 1.5 Degree Lifestyle. He's been an architect, real estate developer, and prefab entrepreneur, and he's currently working on a new book titled Carbon Upfront!, teaching sustainable design at Toronto Metropolitan University, and writing frequently on Substack. Lloyd and Ryan dive deep into carbon, retrofits, and so much more.
Apr 21, 2023
1 hr
#007: Stephen Aiguier from Green Hammer
In this episode of the Retrofit Podcast, host Ryan Shanahan talks with Stephen Aiguier, founder of Green Hammer. His design-build firm is committed to proving that healthy, carbon-free buildings are the best choice — for a healthy planet, healthy people and a healthy bottom line. In this episode, Ryan and Stephen dive into retrofitting old houses, wood windows, tape, and so much more.
Apr 7, 2023
59 min
#006: Ashley Murphree from Good Bones Design Build
In this episode of the Retrofit Podcast, host Ryan Shanahan talks with Ashley Murphree, co-owner of Good Bones Design Build in California. They dive deep into her background as a mechanical engineer, retrofit projects, and her experience living off-grid in a shipping container, as well as how to discuss high-performance homes with clients.
Mar 24, 2023
1 hr 3 min
#005: A Conversation with Graham Wright from Phius
In this episode of the Retrofit Podcast, host Ryan Shanahan talks with Graham Wright from Phius, the organization that certifies passive house projects in the United States. He is the Senior Scientist & Chair of the Phius Technical Committee. They talk all about passive houses and the development of the passive retrofit standard.
Mar 10, 2023
58 min
#004: A Conversation with Rachel White of Byggmeister
In this episode of the Retrofit Podcast, host Ryan Shanahan talks with Rachel White, CEO of Byggmeister. After hiring Byggmeister to reduce her own home's energy footprint, she found her own life's work. She started as a consultant developing standards for water and energy use as well as indoor air quality, and eventually joining Byggmeister working in marketing and project management before becoming CEO. They talk all about updating existing homes, heat pumps, and the challenges of helping homeowners (and homes) lower their carbon footprints.
Feb 24, 2023
54 min
#003: A Conversation with Dan Kolbert of Kolbert Building
In this episode of the Retrofit Podcast, host Ryan Shanahan talks with Dan Kolbert, owner of Kolbert Building, where he focuses on good design and controlling heat, weather, moisture, and drafts to craft homes that'll last generations. He's also a co-author of the Pretty Good House book and a proponent of BS + Beer. Ryan and Dan get into why it's important to monitor your projects, preferred wall assemblies, problems with heat pumps, retrofitting HRVs, and so much more.
Feb 10, 2023
57 min
#002: A Conversation with Allison Bailes of Energy Vanguard
In this episode of the Retrofit Podcast, host Ryan Shanahan talks with Allison Bailes, owner of Energy Vanguard, a company focused on teaching, HVAC design services, and consulting. You'll also recognize him from his regular posts at Green Building Advisor, the Energy Vanguard Blog, speaking at events, and his wonderful book A House Needs to Breathe ... Or Does It? Ryan and Allison get into the specifics of Allison's own house, the importance of climate zones, running ductwork in conditioned spaces, and so much more.
Jan 27, 2023
1 hr 3 min
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