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ENERGY CONSERVATION

Living and Working in Historic Buildings – How to sensitively and simply GO GREEN

Minimise Your Energy Usage and Reduce Your Carbon Emissions

• install a smart metering system so you can monitor and understand how much energy you use.
• reduce the temperature of your hot water heating system and heating system.
• make sure loft spaces etc are well insulated to prevent heat wastage.
• Retaining old wooden windows and refurbishing them is inherently sustainable. Simply draughtproof your existing windows and doors.
• upgrade your light bulbs to energy efficient ones and make sure all lights are off when a room is not in use.
• consider changing your energy supplier to those with a green energy source.
• when renewing white goods, kettles etc, opt for energy efficient ‘A’ rated models.
• consider updating heating systems over 15 years old. A newer ‘A’ rated condenser boiler could provide significant savings.

Consider on-site renewable energy

1. Is it necessary to gain planning permission, listed building consent or building regulations consent? Call the Council on (01983) 823552 in the first instance for confidential advice.
2. What are the environmental impacts associated with the manufacture of that type of system?
3. What are the energy needs of the systems? Heat Pumps need an electricity source.
4. Consider the size, locations and constraints of the site – e.g. restricted airflow in urban locations may not present the optimum operational conditions for micro wind turbines or Air Source Heat pumps. Both of these units may make some noise which may impact neighbouring properties. Excavations for Ground Source Heat Pumps or underfloor heat units may potentially disturb buried archaeological remains.
5. Don’t be pressured into buying products “on offer” from high profile companies, contact the respective Trade Organisations for a list of local members and ask to see completed projects and/or references.
6. If your building is listed, you will need to obtain listed building consent for the installation of a new energy system. It is important not to affect the appearance or the fabric; this may mean that it is not possible to install solar panels directly onto a listed building. Instead consider using solar tiles on outbuildings or erecting panels in your garden.
7. If your property is in a conservation area or adjacent to a listed building, it is important to conserve and enhance the character and appearance of the area. This may mean that new technologies can only be sited where they are not visible from important buildings, views or areas.

Useful Links :

• - Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Guidance Leaflet