Old buildings are notorious for guzzling energy. This is because these buildings were built to be breathable – timber, brick and lime-based mortar allowed moisture to escape the building. While such a design reduces mould, it also allows heat to escape. You then have the added issue of old wiring and old gas plumbing (some century-old buildings still have original wiring and pipes, which have nowhere near the same energy-efficiency of today’s pipes and wiring).
Fortunately, there are a few ways in which you can make an old building more energy-efficient. Below are just a few tips.
Insulate the loft
One of the most effective ways to reduce energy bills in an old building is to insulate the loft. Heat naturally rises – an uninsulated loft can account for 25% of a building’s heat loss in winter.
You can insulate the loft in a number of different ways. If you want to use the loft as a room, you can insulate the ceiling of the loft with boards, blankets or spray-on foam. If you don’t plan to use the loft, you could insulate the floor of the loft and block the loft hatch – the loft will stay cold, but heat from the rest of the building will stay trapped inside longer.
Consider underfloor insulation
A lot of old buildings also have uninsulated basements or large voids under the ground floor floorboards, which can allow in drafts and cause heat to escape. It’s worth looking into different forms of underfloor insulation for this reason. This could involve insulating the interior walls of your basement, filling gaps between floorboards or filling the void beneath.
Avoid exterior insulation
You may not be able to get planning permission for exterior insulation on old listed buildings. However, this is not the main reason you should avoid exterior insulation. Exterior insulation boards and exterior cladding can affect the breathability of an old building. Moisture can become trapped in the building and can lead to serious mould outbreaks and dampness. This is not worth trading for lower energy bills.
Should you replace old windows?
If a building has old timber windows, you may want to think twice before replacing. Upgrading to uPVC frames won’t add much energy-efficiency and could reduce the value of the building – original timber windows can be an important part of an old building’s character. On very old listed buildings, you may not even be allowed to replace the windows unless they’re severely damaged.
It may be possible to still add double glazing into the original frames in some cases to reduce energy loss. However, an easier option is to simply use thick curtains in the winter or add clear insulating film to the glass.
Explore different forms of heating
Old buildings were heated by fireplaces – often one room at a time. Buildings owned by wealthy people had large ceilings to allow better insulation and large windows to allow heat in from the sun.
Consequently, standard modern heating solutions aren’t always suited to these buildings. That isn’t to say that traditional firewood fireplaces are the best option – such options can be messy, slow and potentially dangerous. However, there are options like biomass and pellet stoves that can use firewood in a more practical fashion. Gas and LPG heating can still be used effectively in old buildings, but it’s often worth exploring options like flue heating when it comes to large house heating, old office building heating or church heating. Standard radiators and electric heating may not always be as efficient.
Check for old wiring and plumbing
Old wiring in a building could be consuming a lot of energy and could even pose a fire risk. For this reason, it’s worth getting rid of such wiring. An electrician will usually be able to tell you if your wiring is old and in need of replacing.
Old gas plumbing is unlikely to be insulated leading to heat loss. It could also be worn, increasing the risk of a future gas leak. For this reason, you may also want to consider replacing old piping. A gas plumber will be able to tell you if this is necessary.
Switch to LED lighting
What is the best way to reduce electricity consumption in an old building? If it still has incandescent light bulbs then the best thing you can do is switch to LEDs. While LED bulbs cost more upfront, they use less energy to shine brighter and last longer, resulting in much lower energy bills in the long run. You can buy LED lights that look like old bulbs if you want to keep some of the original character of the home.
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