ENERGY HERITAGE
Improving energy efficiency in traditional and historic homes
Please note: this is a large file.
Conference downloads from 2 May 2008 now available - click here.
Energy Heritage is a ground-breaking Changeworks project.
The project, running from April 2007 to June 2008, demonstrates and encourages improvements in energy efficiency in domestic historic buildings across the UK.
Energy Heritage involved three stages:
- Extensive research identified the main issues linking energy efficiency, fuel poverty and historic homes. Changeworks led negotiations with key organisations including Edinburgh World Heritage, Historic Scotland, The City of Edinburgh Council, and The Cockburn Association. This established common ground and mutually acceptable solutions to improving the energy efficiency of properties protected because of their historic status; improvements that maximise energy savings and minimise visual impact on the properties
- The pilot study involved installation of energy efficiency improvements to nine flats in a B-listed Georgian tenement in the historic heart of Edinburgh; the flats, owned by Lister Housing Co-operative, are also in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. As well as the improvement measures, householders also received home visits from energy advisers. Energy efficiency improvements were monitored by Smart Monitors, National Home Energy Rating (NHER) surveys, thermal imaging, householder surveys, seasonal fuel bill comparisons and thermal testing (carried out in collaboration with Historic Scotland)
- The lessons learned from the research, negotiations and pilot project led to the publication of comprehensive good practice guide: 'Energy Heritage: a guide to improving energy efficiency in traditional and historic homes (5MB)' please note this is a large file, to inform future projects throughout the UK. The guidance was launched at a highly successful conference on energy efficiency in traditional and historic homes, and continues to be promoted through stakeholders’ websites and presentations
Effective partnership leads to success
Partnership working lies at the heart of Energy Heritage. The pilot study was a partnership between Changeworks, Edinburgh World Heritage and Lister Housing Co-operative, and also involved conservation bodies, planners and householders.
The key to successful incorporation of energy efficiency measures in these historic homes was identifying and building on common ground to ensure all stakeholders’ perspectives were considered.
Funding
Changeworks’ Energy Heritage project was funded by Eaga Partnership Charitable Trust. Their funding allowed Changeworks to lead the project and included funding for the publication and conference.
The capital works involved in the pilot project were funded by Edinburgh World Heritage, the Scottish Government's Wider Role Fund, Lister Housing Co-operative and ScottishPower.
The good practice guide and conference also received funding from Edinburgh World Heritage and Sust.
Contact us
For further information about any aspect of the Energy Heritage project, please contact Changeworks on: 0131 468 8660 or email: nheath@changeworks.org.uk
Or you can write to us at:
Energy Heritage
Changeworks
36 Newhaven Road
Edinburgh
EH6 5PY
