Energy Conserving Features Inherent In Older Homes

Burns, John

From the introduction: "Rising energy costs in recent years have forced a re-examination of energy using features in housing. Much research has been focused on energy saving features for new constructions. However, given current replacement rates for housing, older homes will continue to be used for many years whether or not they are energy efficient . It is imperative energy saving features inherent in existing housing stock also be considered. Early homes had many energy conserving features out of necessity because of the inefficiency of heating with fireplaces and the lack of artificial cooling. Interest in these features lessened as technical advances produced a greater ability to control interior temperatures while at the same time reducing the amount of homeowner labor. Ultimately, large mechanical systems were used to completely control the interior environment, thus eliminating the need for energy saving features. Thus, houses built prior to 1920 tend to have more energy conserving features built into their building envelope but do not have sophisticated mechanical systems, unless they have been modernized, while post World War II houses have more sophisticated mechanical systems but have fewer energy conserving features of the types shown in the following pages in their building envelope. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has previously published information concerned with improving the energy efficiency of house built between 1940 and the present ("In the Bank...or Up the Chimney") and those built before 1940 ("Conserving Energy in Older Homes"). This publication identifies energy saving features most commonly found in houses built prior to 1920. The reuse of those energy saving features can improve the energy efficiency of a house. Census figures show that approximately 25% of all extant buildings were built before 1930 and that there are approximately 20 million dwelling units still in use from that period. Probably most of the energy conscious design features in them are as usable today as when they were built. Moreover, these same features can be incorporated into new construction. The only problem with these features is that they may not be recognized as energy conserving because they are not understood. Some may not have been used for years while others may have been removed because of aesthetic or structural changes. As will be shown, older homes are generally more responsive to and take better advantage of the natural environment. Making the best use of the inherent design features of a house is an important step in energy conservation. A bonus in the reuse of these inherent design features is that they are part of the original character of the house. The result is a house with more historic integrity that will probably better its value. The reuse of original energy conserving features in a house is sympathetic rehabilitation. The philosophy of sympathetic is that there are cost effective alternatives to stripping a house to its base structure and installing all new mechanical systems and finishes. Many of the architectural features destroyed or overlooked in such work are more than just decorative. They serve as passive energy saving devices but, because of a lack of understanding of their inherent qualities for energy conservation, they are lost. The aim of this publication is to identify for the homeowner, contract, and craftsman the types of energy conscious design features in older houses so that they may be reused rather than negated or destroyed. Sympathetic rehabilitation can provide cost effective energy conservation in older houses without destroying historical integrity."

Energy Conserving Features Inherent In Older Homes

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