Goals set to drive energy efficiency in historic homes

The UK government have announced new measures to help make older properties more energy efficient while protecting their innate beauty.  

Yesterday, the government published their review, which was supported by Historic England, into the challenges households face when retrofitting in conservation areas and listed buildings. The findings are nothing short of surprising.

As it stands, owners of homes built before 1919 face paying, on average, £428 a year more on energy bills if their property is not energy efficient. One of the reasons for this is due to planning issues, particularly how long it takes to get planning permission to install sufficient energy saving measures.

Following this, the government have set out new plans to better insulate older establishments and drive low carbon heating improvements across England as part of their commitment to reach net zero by 2050.

The new plans include:

• A consultation on a new national development management policy specially for historic buildings
• Consulting on the use of listed buildings consent orders to support building improvements, removing the need to submit individual listed consent applications
• Developing clearer guidance for historic homeowners on improving energy efficiency and supporting the construction industry to better deliver retrofitting services
• Consulting on reforms to energy performance certificates to ensure they are accurate, reliable and trustworthy

‘People who own and live in historic homes are their custodians and want to take responsible action to protect them for the benefit of generations to come,’ minister for arts & heritage Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said. ‘That isn’t always as straightforward as it should be, so this review has looked at how we can make it easier, while continuing to protect out historic environment.’

In addition, Lord Callanan, minister for energy efficiency and green finance added: ‘We’ve already made huge progress in improving energy efficiency – with almost half of all homes in England at an EPC rating of C or above, up from 14% in 2010.

‘[The new] measures will not help keep historic homes warm for less, while protecting out heritage as we progress towards our net zero goal.’

Images: GOV.UK and John Tuesday

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