Government Introduces Strategy to Enhance Energy Efficiency in Historic Residences
The government has revealed its latest initiative aimed at surmounting obstacles and propelling energy efficiency in historic homes. This plan strives to diminish household energy expenses nationwide while safeguarding the distinctive historic attributes of these dwellings.
In an effort to address the challenges associated with retrofitting in conservation areas and listed properties, the government has released a comprehensive review.
Households residing in homes constructed prior to 1919 face an additional yearly cost of £428 on energy bills. To achieve the government’s Net Zero commitment by 2050, the review outlines a series of pledges to stimulate energy efficiency and promote low-carbon heating enhancements in listed buildings and properties within conservation areas across England.
The review’s commitments to enhance energy efficiency in historic homes encompass various measures:
1. Introducing a consultation for a new national development management policy tailored specifically for historic buildings, ensuring more predictable and consistent decision-making processes.
2. Considering expanded employment of Listed Building Consent Orders to facilitate building improvements, eliminating the necessity for individual listed building consent applications.
3. Crafting clearer guidance for historic homeowners to enhance energy efficiency and aiding the construction industry in delivering retrofitting services more effectively.
4. Contemplating reforms to Energy Performance Certificates to ensure their accuracy, reliability, and credibility.
Duncan Wilson, the chief executive of Historic England, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “Historic England welcomes this Energy Efficiency Review and its highlighted affirmative actions. For the UK to transition to Net Zero, historic buildings must evolve and participate significantly.
“This review demonstrates that heritage should not impede progress and pinpoints opportunities to unleash the potential of England’s historic buildings in contributing to our Net Zero objective.”