Energy Retrofits That Make Existing Homes Perform Better

An older home can look beautiful and still waste energy every day. Drafty rooms, uneven temperatures, aging mechanical systems, poor insulation, and uncontrolled air leakage can all make a home less comfortable and more expensive to operate. An energy retrofit looks at the house as a complete system, identifies where performance is being lost, and improves the areas that matter most so your home can feel more comfortable, efficient, and healthy without starting over.

Is an Energy Retrofit Right for Your Home?

This service may be a good fit if your existing home has one or more of these issues:

Rooms that stay too hot, too cold, or uncomfortable through the seasons
Higher energy use than you would expect for the size of the home
Aging insulation, windows, HVAC equipment, or other major systems
Drafts, air leakage, or noticeable temperature differences between rooms
Indoor air quality, humidity, or ventilation concerns
A planned renovation where it makes sense to improve performance at the same time
Plans to electrify the home, add solar, or prepare for future energy upgrades

Why Energy Retrofits Need a Whole-Home Approach

Replacing one piece of equipment does not always solve the real problem. A high-efficiency HVAC system can still struggle if the home leaks air. New windows will not correct poorly insulated walls or uncontrolled ventilation. Adding insulation without understanding moisture movement can create a different set of problems.

We look at how the home works as a complete system. That can include the building envelope, insulation, air sealing, windows and doors, heating and cooling, ventilation, moisture control, and other major energy loads. By understanding how those pieces interact, we can prioritize improvements that work together instead of spending money on isolated upgrades that may not address the source of the problem.

How We Plan and Complete an Energy Retrofit

We follow our primary framework, adapted to the conditions of your existing home:

1. Discovery & Existing-Home Assessment

We start with how the home currently performs and what you want to improve. We look at comfort concerns, energy use, existing systems, renovation plans, and the areas of the home most likely to be limiting performance.

2. Energy Analysis & Retrofit Planning

We evaluate the home as a system and develop a practical improvement strategy. Depending on the project, that may include air sealing, insulation, windows, HVAC, ventilation, moisture management, electrification, or preparation for solar.

3. Fixed-Price Proposal & Agreement

Once the scope and specifications are defined, we present a detailed proposal with clear inclusions and allowances. You can see what is being upgraded, why it matters, and what you are committing to before construction begins.

4. Construction & System Upgrades

We complete the approved improvements in a coordinated sequence so one upgrade does not undermine another. Our team manages the work carefully around the existing home while keeping you informed throughout the project.

5. Performance Testing & Long-Term Support

Where appropriate, we verify the completed work through performance testing and system checks. The goal is not simply to install new products, but to confirm that the completed upgrades are working together to improve the way your home performs.

Our Recent Custom Homes in Metro Portland

What Homeowners Say About Building With Marnella

Built on Trust. Inspired by You.

Our homeowners are at the heart of everything we do. From thoughtful design to lasting quality, their stories reflect our commitment to creating homes that nurture well-being, comfort, and pride. Hear what makes the Marnella Homes experience truly exceptional.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 8 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Shan Stassens 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marnella Homes holds every project to exceptionally high standards. From thoughtful design and detailed energy modeling to professional construction and execution, their team consistently delivers outstanding results.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Patrick Spriggel 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Most people scroll to the bad reviews, but you must read this good one.  And, we are not affiliated with any of the Marnella team other than being a customer.

I have been around home building and contractors for decades and know just enough to able to determine what is quality, good quality or great quality.  We purchased a new townhome on E. 6th St. in Vancouver from Tony Marnella.  The technology that comes as the standard offering is absolutely amazing.  Everything has been thought through as if the builder were making for themself.  The quality of the build is crazy high thanks to the Marnella team.  Tony Marnella may be the owner but he is extremely hands-on.  His foreman is picky as if it were his own.  And, Gina, in his office is absolutely amazing.  The team works in concert and they don't miss a single detail.

We love our home and the location is a bonus!

Look no further if you need a builder.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Doug Bixel 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were introduced to Marnella Homes through a friend.  Marnella took our custom build project on, improved the design, and completed the project within the allotted schedule.  In today's marketplace, there are very few companies that can do that.  We are very happy with the home!  Thank you Team Marnella!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Andy Steigleder 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marnella Homes exceeded all our expectations on our custom home. From start to finish, their devotion to the client was clear in every interaction. They truly listened to our needs and made sure we felt involved and informed throughout the entire process. Their attention to detail in their work is exceptional—every finish, fixture, and feature was thoughtfully executed with care and precision. They delivered everything right on time, staying true to their schedule without cutting corners and even redoing work if not meeting their high standards. I would gladly use Marnella again on a new project.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Qwan Pham 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Building with Tony and the Marnella Homes team was a smooth and surprisingly stress-free experience. This was our fourth new home, and we didn’t think it could be this easy. Despite building on the Oregon coast, where it’s often hard to find reliable tradespeople, the entire process—from breaking ground to getting the keys—took just six months. The home is high-quality, energy-efficient, and exactly what we hoped for.

We appreciated the clear weekly updates, the detailed schedule, and the billing that matched the cost estimates. After moving in, Gina and Adrian were responsive and quick to take care of any follow-up issues. We’d happily recommend Marnella Homes and would work with them again in the future.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Laura 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tony and his team built us a beautiful home in about one year.  The estimate was quite a bit shorter, but I think this is just the way things go. Using his home plan, we were able to tailor the space to our design aesthetic and partner along the way to get things right. Our PM, Damon was indispensible, a good listener and responsive.

Energy Retrofit Questions, Answered

What is an energy retrofit?

An energy retrofit improves the performance of an existing home. Instead of rebuilding the house, we evaluate where it is losing energy or comfort and develop targeted improvements for areas such as air sealing, insulation, HVAC, ventilation, windows, and other building systems.

Do I need to replace everything at once?

Not necessarily. A good retrofit starts by identifying which improvements will have the greatest impact and which upgrades need to be coordinated together. Depending on the home, the work can be completed as one larger project or planned in logical phases.

Can you improve comfort as well as energy efficiency?

Yes. Comfort and efficiency are closely connected. Air leakage, poor insulation, incorrectly sized HVAC equipment, and unbalanced airflow can all create hot and cold rooms while also increasing energy use. Addressing the underlying system can improve both.

Can an energy retrofit be combined with a remodel?

Yes. A remodel can be one of the best times to improve the home’s performance because walls, ceilings, mechanical systems, or other assemblies may already be accessible. Planning the retrofit alongside the renovation can make it easier to coordinate improvements before finishes are installed.

Can you prepare an existing home for solar or electrification?

Yes. Depending on the home and your goals, the retrofit plan can account for future solar, electric HVAC equipment, heat-pump water heating, electrical capacity, or other efficiency upgrades. We look at those goals early so the improvements made today support what you may want to do later.

Ready to Make Your Home Perform Better?

If your home feels drafty, uneven, inefficient, or simply outdated behind the walls, replacing individual products without a plan may not solve the real problem. Let us look at the home as a complete system, identify where performance is being lost, and develop a practical path toward better comfort, efficiency, and long-term performance.

Schedule a Discovery Call