Energy efficiency for sustainable reuse of public heritage buildings: the case for research

Abstract

There is a wide consensus that buildings, as major energy consumers and sources of greenhouse gas emissions must play an important role in mitigating climate change. This has led to increasing concern and greater demand to improve energy effi ciency in buildings. Although, there has been increased efforts to reduce energy consumption from existing building stock; the heritage sector still needs to accelerate its efforts to improve energy effi ciency and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Presently, much concentration has been on improving the energy effi ciency of heritage buildings in the domestic sector while, the non-domestic sector has only received little attention. In particular, studies focusing on reuse and adaptation of heritage buildings for public use to achieve more effi cient use of energy are urgently required. The main focus of this paper is the need for research into sustainable reuse of public heritage buildings with reference to maximising energy effi ciency in the process of considering their conversion to other uses. The paper presents part of a broader on-going research with the aim to investigate problems associated with maximising energy effi ciency in reuse and conversion of public heritage buildings. It identifi es the ability of heritage buildings to play a role in global reduction of energy use and CO 2 emission whilst maintaining its unique characteristics. Issues and challenges associated to improving energy effi ciency in heritage building conversion projects were discussed. Holistic approach through identifi cation of various options and innovative techniques for their sustainable reuse were suggested. The paper concluded that in spite of the exemption of listed buildings from energy performance requirements, these buildings can still accommodate some energy effi ciency improvements. However, further studies to identify the most suitable options for long term sustainability is required if the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 is to be achieved.

Reducing carbon from heritage buildings: the importance of residents’ views, values and behaviours

“…34 Despite their importance however, behaviours are often considered to be outside the scope of energy retrofit projects, which tend to focus on material changes. 35 However, compared to behavioural changes, material changes are likely to involve physical alterations to the building fabric, have much higher impact on heritage values, and be significantly more expensive. 36 Meanwhile, retrofit decisions and their estimated energy and carbon savings are often based on models of the energy use of the building.…”

The drivers and challenges of improving the energy efficiency performance of listed pre-1919 housing

“…This might include negative implications for listed building aesthetics, significance and impact on occupant health, comfort and behaviour (Agbota et al , 2014). Avoiding damage to the values and significance of listed buildings is essential (Godwin, 2011). This should influence the approach adopted when improving the energy efficiency of these dwellings.…”

Sustainability assessment model for heritage buildings

“…As the world develops, more buildings are constructed and energy use attributed to buildings increases. In developing and developed countries, energy use amounts to 20–25% and 30–40%, respectively (Yau, 2014; Akande et al , 2014; Akande, 2015; Zhang et al , 2017; Han et al , 2020). The building industry contributes to about 32% of the global energy consumption, exceeding that of material resource consumption by more than a third.…”