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New guide to more energy efficient historic buildings

Posted: 02/04/2008

Sustainable development charity Changeworks is publishing a new guide to improving energy efficiency in traditional and protected homes. This is part of a project called Energy Heritage, being run by Changeworks to identify acceptable ways of improving energy efficiency in such buildings.

Some elements of traditionally constructed homes are notoriously hard to improve in terms of energy efficiency. This is exacerbated when properties are listed, situated in conservation areas or otherwise protected, when maintaining their historic character and appearance is paramount.

Residents of such properties can be at risk of fuel poverty (where a household spends more than 10% of its disposable income heating the home). This is because their homes, while visually outstanding, can have poor levels of energy efficiency, and improvement options are limited by their historic status.

Investing in existing housing is more sustainable than demolition and new build, which carry considerable economic and environmental costs and lose the embodied energy contained in existing buildings. Existing stock accounts for the vast majority of UK housing, and increasing CO2 reduction targets make the Energy Heritage project all the more timely.

Following extensive research into the key barriers and solutions to improving energy efficiency in historic homes, Changeworks carried out a pilot study testing a range of sensitive improvements. Measures were installed in 'B' listed Georgian tenement flats in Edinburgh's Old Town, a conservation area and part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. The pilot study was conducted in partnership with Edinburgh World Heritage and Lister Housing Co-operative.

The works focused on windows, solid floors, roofs, heating and lighting systems, and included educational measures such as smart monitors and home advice visits. The works were monitored in several ways:
 National Home Energy Rating (NHER) surveys provided updated energy efficiency ratings and projected savings in CO2 emissions, energy consumption and fuel costs;
 Thermal testing was carried out in conjunction with Historic Scotland;
 Thermal imaging provided a visual illustration of the impact of the window works;
 Householder satisfaction surveys were completed;
 Seasonal fuel bill comparisons are being carried out.

All works were supported by Planning and building conservation bodies, as well as the householders themselves who are extremely happy with the improvements.

Energy Heritage has shown that, by working in partnership and selecting appropriate technologies, the long-term sustainability of these valuable buildings can be safeguarded without compromising their historic character or appearance.

The guide is being launched at a FREE one-day conference on energy efficiency in traditional and historic homes, in Edinburgh on Friday 2 May. This event will will include sample improvement technologies, workshops and presentations from organisations including Historic Scotland, the Sustainable Development Commission, Energy Action Scotland and Edinburgh World Heritage. All delegates will receive a copy of the guide.

More details, and a conference booking form, are available at www.changeworks.org.uk/content.php?linkid=374. For more details please contact Changeworks on 0131 468 8660 or events@changeworks.org.uk.

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