;

“How much energy efficiency is enough when it comes to historic buildings?”

This a very contentious question right now in preservation and building circles. So I’ll give you my point of view and you can make your own decision.

My stance is that historic properties serve a wholly different purpose than a modern built home. Historic properties have been saved because of their character, craftsmanship and most importantly their historical significance. The purpose of an historical home or district is not to compete with the energy efficiency of its contemporary counterparts, but rather to remind us of where we came from as a society and how things were done in generations past.

Admittedly, the newest and most efficient window installed in an historic home will increase its energy efficiency over a single paned double hung original. But should it be our mission to make these homes perform like new? I’d venture a resounding “No.” They were never designed to perform that way. Retrofit? Yes, by all means! But irreversibly alter in the name of efficiency? After all is said and done, the top of the line, energy star rated window of today will be considered an energy hog by the ever advancing standards of tomorrow creating a endless cycle of replacements and upgrades.

Let us save old houses because we want to enjoy them and share them with our children and grandchildren not because we can change them into something they were never intended to be. We might as well paint new clothes on the Mona Lisa because her outfit is woefully outdated.

What’s your take? Should there be different standards for historic homes and what should they be?

• Share it
• Tweet it
• Pin it

Get the latest posts emailed to you!