New guidance launched on heat pumps, solar and energy efficiency for England’s heritage buildings.
Historic England who plays a central role in helping England’s listed buildings and historic sites, has set out information on how older buildings can reduce energy consumption and emissions without harming features of historical importance.
The new guidance emphasises that the decarbonisation of historic buildings is non-optional, in light of the UK Government’s legally binding 2050 net-zero target and interim carbon budgets. These buildings are estimated to account for 5% of the UK’s annual carbon emissions. Buildings need to be made resilient to climate impacts already baked in as British summers are getting drier and hotter and winters are getting warmer and wetter, increased risks of flooding and droughts become evident. Owners and occupiers of historic buildings are struggling to understand how they can adapt and decarbonise their properties – which may well reduce energy bills and enhance comfort, too – without flouting planning rules. This new guidance is designed to guide them through the process of “sensitive repair, maintenance and adaptation”.
It covers energy efficiency interventions including insulation; heat pumps; draft-proofing; window replacement and repair, and onsite solar. Myths are dispelled, including those around whether heat pumps would be suitable for larger, older buildings, and whether clean technologies are unsightly. Historic England is advocating a ‘whole building approach’ which takes into account factors such as building age, location and historic importance. It also looks at whether cost and carbon savings can be maximised by installing more than one element, and how multi-phased projects can be delivered practically.
Historic England is targeting the advice note at councils and planning authorities, as Conservation officers at England’s 310+ councils have interpreted planning law in different ways in recent years, hampering efforts made to install cleantech and improve energy efficiency in some cases.
