Energy efficiency and historic buildings
Advice on the measures that you can take to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of a historic building.
Historic England have put together a number of guides on how to retrofit historic buildings to improve their sustainability. These provide advice on both small and large changes you can make to reduce the carbon footprint of many historic buildings.
Why improve energy efficiency
Improving the energy efficiency of a historic building can lead to:
- reduced carbon emissions and fuel bills
- improved comfort levels
- complying with statutory requirements such as Part L of the Building Regulations or the Private Rented Sector Regulations
General guidance
Historic England has put together some overarching guidance on How to Improve Energy Efficiency. This sets out their 'whole building approach' which considers:
- context
- construction
- condition
- historic significance
- an understanding of all the factors that affect energy use, and
- how to devise an energy efficiency strategy for any building
The Planning Portal also has general advice on how you can save energy in your home.
Targeted guides
Historic England have a number of free to download publications.
Energy efficiency and historic buildings
The energy efficiency and historic buildings guides on the Historic England site include focussed technical advice and guidance on improving the energy efficiency of historic buildings.
Traditional windows
Historic England's Traditional windows: their care, repair and upgrading guidance covers both timber and metal windows and is aimed at building professionals and property owners.
Saving energy
Improving the energy efficiency of your home, whether it's listed, in a conservation area or built before 1919, can be done sympathetically and without compromising its historic character. Historic England's resource pages offer advice on how you can go about saving energy in your home.