Energy Efficiency & Historic Structures
Our Climate Shapes Our Structures
For thousands of years, structures have been designed for the climate in which they are built. In New England, long, cold winters influenced features such as low ceilings and big, central chimneys to retain as much heat as possible. Steep pitched roofs shed snow quickly. Window shutters were more functional than decorative and could be closed against summer heat. Porches provided somewhere to cool down pre-air conditioning.
Older homes were designed to "breathe" - timber, bricks, and plaster naturally absorb moisture and then release it. With the advent of efficient heating and cooling systems, newly-constructed buildings have largely shifted towards sealing in the internally-generated heat and air conditioning. With the right modifications, even historic structures can become more efficient without significantly altering their defining architectural characteristics.
Energy Audit
Energy audits show you how and where you can incorporate efficiency upgrades into your home. They often qualify you for rebates or free upgrades. Mass Save is the energy efficiency program administered for customers of National Grid and Eversource, which accounts for 87% of Massachusetts consumers. Forty-one Municipal Light Plants cover the remaining consumers and maintain their own similar programs.
Contact MassSave or your MLP to schedule a free energy audit.
Insulation
Homes built before the 1930s and 40s typically did not have insulation. Adding insulation to your home is the most effective thing you can do to increase efficiency.
According to the Secretary of the Interior, attic floors and basements should be the first to be insulated, as they can be done with the least interruption to historic materials. Wood-framed buildings have a higher risk of moisture infiltration in the walls, which can cause wall insulation to mold, so make sure to address any roof or window leaks beforehand.
Windows
Windows are an important part of a building's architectural character and every possible effort should be made to keep historic windows. Wood windows made before 1940 were constructed from rot-resistant old-growth wood. With proper maintenance, they can be restored over and over again by a window glazing professional or a DIY-minded homeowner. Many New England homes would have had exterior or interior seasonal storm windows. When a single pane window and storm window are paired, they are as efficient as a brand new triple glazed window.
If your home doesn’t have original storm windows, you might consider purchasing new seasonal acrylic interior storms. They fit in the window frame using a rubber gasket and don’t distract from the look of the original window. Increasing the efficiency of your original windows is also more environmentally-friendly and less expensive than replacing the windows.
Heating & Cooling
There are multiple simple upgrades for heating and cooling systems in old homes. Old thermostats may be swapped with new, smart thermostats and adding zones to a heating system helps you heat based on where people spend their time. Smart or manual thermostatic radiator valves installed on cast iron radiators in seldom used rooms are a more affordable way to create zones.
Heat pumps - including ground source heat pumps - work well in a historic home. They can provide heating and cooling and have been installed in structures including Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House.
Solar Panels
When done correctly, solar panel installation can meet even the strictest historic preservation standards. Panels that are invisible from the ground are the best, but even panels with minimal visibility can be considered appropriate on a case-by-case basis. Local historic districts in Massachusetts cannot ban solar installations outright, but do have some jurisdiction over design guidelines.