Listed Buildings and Climate Change

Climate change will affect us all, including those living in historic buildings. Listed building owners should reduce carbon emissions and improve the energy efficiency of their building, but considerable care must be taken to preserve historic fabric, character and appearance. It is also important to understand that historic and traditional buildings were built to perform differently from modern buildings.

Historic buildings generally have thick solid walls made of breathable materials which absorb moisture but then allow it to evaporate freely away. Thick walls, small windows and small rooms allow old buildings to retain warmth in winter and stay cool in summer. By contrast, modern construction depends on a series of barriers to keep out moisture and keep warm air sealed inside the building. Energy efficiency measures that are appropriate in modern homes could damage traditional homes.  For example, measures that result in inadequate ventilation of building elements may result in condensation, mould and timber rot. In recognition of this, the government has exempted listed buildings from Part L (Conservation of fuel and power) of the Buildings Regulations. Nevertheless, there are various measures that can be taken to improve the efficiency of your historic home.

To help owners of historic homes make energy efficiency measures that are effective and appropriate, Historic England has produced guidance on Saving Energy in your Home. In 2019, the Institute for Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) produced guidance on Climate Change and Older Buildings – Key Sources that covers adaptation, mitigation (advice, legislation, differences between modern and traditional construction) and climate change targets. Flooding is one of the most significant risks to historic buildings from climate change and Historic England’s guidance on repair and prevention is found within Flooding and Historic Buildings.