Period homes, whether Georgian, Victorian or Elizabethan, are highly desirable, but some people may be put off by the idea that these homes aren’t as eco-friendly as a more modern building. Draughty windows and uninsulated walls can lose heat quickly, making it more difficult to keep your house warm and raising the cost of bills. Renovations may be needed to improve the carbon footprint of your home, but these can be costly, take up a lot of your time, and some may feel that this will compromise the authenticity of a period property.
Insulate With Natural Materials
Walls in period homes were constructed differently than they are today, which can make insulation a problem. Modern insulation with man-made materials may help to reduce heat loss from your home, but can also lead to problems such as condensation and damp. Insulating your home with natural materials can reduce this problem by allowing the walls to breathe, while still reducing your heating bills.
Consider Your Home’s Authenticity
Some renovations to your property may help reduce heat loss and improve your carbon footprint, but you may feel like you’re losing some of the authenticity of the classic period home. Installing solar panels for heating water can be a great way to be more eco-friendly, but you will have to weigh up whether adding them to your home will be right for you. Adding panels to the roof will add a more modern look to your home, which won’t appeal to everyone. If possible, add solar panels to a more discreet location, such as at the back of the house, if your home’s appearance is important to you.
Maintain Doors and Windows
Windows and doors are a common area for change when making a period home more eco-friendly. Single glazed glass windows are often considered to be bad for the environment as they may let heat out of your house. In fact, these windows can be eco-friendly when they are new, but the age and disrepair can cause windows not to fit within their frames as well, leading to draughts. Getting your windows replaced with a well-made replica can keep the authentic feel of your period home while improving carbon emissions. The same applies to doors, which can be draughty in old houses due to age and wear and tear. Seeking out a new door in the style of your period house can prevent draughts and keep your house eco-friendly while maintaining the authenticity of the property.
Is Your Home More Eco-Friendly Than You Think?
Period homes may already be more eco-friendly than you think. During the Georgian era, there was an increase in the number of terraced houses, particularly in London. Despite the fact that these houses were not built with eco-friendliness in mind, sharing walls and roofs with the houses on either side can help conserve heat and lower the amount of heating needed in these homes, making terraced period houses a surprisingly eco-friendly choice.
If eco-friendliness is an important factor for you when looking for a property, don’t be put off by a period home. With just a few renovations, you can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the house.
