Print this page Conserving Energy in Historic Buildings
Jeffrey Havelin, P.E.
Course Outline
The purpose of this (One-Hour) course is to provide the architect or engineer with a fundamental understanding and the technical knowledge associated with conserving energy in Historic Buildings.
Owners of historic buildings and their architects are assessing the ability of these buildings to conserve energy with an eye toward improving thermal performance. This course has been developed to assist those persons attempting energy conservation measures and weatherization improvements such as adding insulation and storm windows or caulking of exterior building joints.
In historic buildings, many measures can result in the inappropriate alteration of important architectural features, or, perhaps even worse, cause serious damage to the historic building materials through unwanted chemical reactions or moisture caused deterioration. This course recommends measures that will achieve the greatest energy savings with the least alteration to the historic buildings, while using materials that do not cause damage and that represent sound economic investments.
This course is based entirely on the web version of the National Park Service Preservation Brief 3 which is entitled “Conserving Energy in Historic Buildings” as published by the National Park Service- U.S. Department of the Interior.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.Learning Objective
This course will specifically review and provide an understanding of the methods, procedures, and benefits of Conserving Energy in Historic Buildings:
- High thermal inertia or M factor;
- Preservation retrofitting measures;
- Evaluation of air infiltration;
- Ureaformaldehyde foams;
- Cellulose which uses aluminum or ammonium sulfate as a fire retardant; and
- Wall Insulation vs. Masonry Cavity Walls.
Intended
Audience
This course would be very informative for Architects or Professional Engineers that are involved with historic buildings and structures.
Benefit to the Attendees
This course recommends measures that will achieve the greatest energy savings with the least alteration to the historic buildings, while using materials that do not cause damage and that represent sound economic investments.
Course Introduction
The primary focus of this course has been to describe ways to achieve the maximum energy savings in historic buildings without jeopardizing the architectural, cultural and historical qualities for which the properties have been recognized. This can be accomplished through undertaking the passive measures and the "recommended" preservation retrofitting.
Course Content
This course is based entirely on the web version of the National Park Service Preservation Brief 3 which is entitled “Conserving Energy in Historic Buildings” as published by the National Park Service- U.S. Department of the Interior.
The link to the course materials is as follows:
Conserving Energy in Historic Buildings
(http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief03.htm)
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Course Summary
The primary role of the consultant is to ensure the life of the building, a knowledge of historic construction techniques and the special problems found in older buildings is essential. The consultant must assist the owner in planning for logistical problems relating to research and construction. It is the consultant's responsibility to determine the best ways to provide energy conservation measures.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
