Examining Energy Efficiency and Retrofit in Historic Buildings in the UK

The energy efficiency potential of a considerable number of Europe’s historical buildings is noteworthy. However, policymakers often express concerns about energy retrofits that may compromise the integrity of these structures and their surroundings. On the contrary, various strategies exist for enhancing energy efficiency in historic buildings without compromising their architectural constraints. The main aim of this study is to examine energy efficiency and retrofit strategies for historic commercial buildings in the UK. The case study that was selected is a historical building constructed in 1865 for the Water Works Company in the UK, whose function has changed through the years. The research methodology employed a combination of techniques that incorporated literature reviews, a case study, semi-structured interviews, and dynamic thermal simulations. For the purpose of obtaining reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases and consumption of energy, the energy performance of five different retrofit treatment methods that have the smallest damaging effect on historical significance was examined. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating advanced building performance strategies, including wall enhancements, the optimisation of HVAC systems, and the implementation of minimally intrusive photovoltaic solutions. These interventions collectively contributed to achieving remarkable reductions in energy consumption, with electricity usage reduced by 100% and natural gas consumption decreased by 88.2%. Applying retrofit strategies reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 95% from 20,493.51 kg to 1274.76 kg per year. The findings underscore that, despite the considerable potential for enhancing energy efficiency in historic structures, there exists an extensive absence of understanding among homeowners concerning accessible regulations, grants, and practical energy-saving measures.