Energy Efficiency and Preservation in Our Cultural Heritage

Paper in proceeding, 2011

Energy Efficiency and Preservation in Our Cultural Heritage, EEPOCH, concerns our built heritage. The aim is to find models for integrated balancing of energy and preservation demands. Preserved objects for a number of case studies are chosen within the co-operation project Halland Model performed in the County of Halland in the 1990s recession. The aim at that time was regional growth, strengthening competitiveness, sustainability and development of building conservation. For economists a buildings lifecycle is about 50 years and during this time the lion’s share of the costs lies within managing. A building holds many investments and physical resources within. Hence energy efficiency is considered a key action and a path to social, financial and environmental sustainability. The potential is pointed out in the existing building stock. What this implies for the building itself is rarely mentioned. In officially protected monuments energy efficiency is of minor interest. But most of our older building stock is not protected and the buildings are not considered as monuments. How about all these buildings not so ancient and sometimes at risk, yet important for the cityscape and for the experience of a neighbourhood? Are these tangible and intangible values protected when energy experts do their job according to the directive 2010/31/EU on energy performance? There is a complex set of problems that hold between energy efficiency and preservation perspective. In Halland both perspectives were taken into account in the conservation work. EEPOCH has two parts. Through generic research the case studies form a foundation for a theoretical model directed on application for integrated balance of energy and preservation demands based on well grounded practical skills and on theoretical expertise. EEPOCH is financed by the National Energy Agency and local companies in Halland and these are also engaged in workshops where solutions evolve. The qualitative research includes interviews for analysis on communication between different occupational cultures to illuminate methods within and between connected professions, especially their interdisciplinary approach. This part begins late autumn 2011. Cautious increase of efficiency can make our built heritage useful for the future creating attractive environments with low running costs. EEPOCH will provide the models for managing of energy performance without diminishing cultural values in our built heritage.