Insulating Old Buildings.
Old homes are often cold, drafty and big energy wasters.
By Mason Lord, Founder and Managing Partner
Some old house lovers accept this as the price they must pay for living in an antique home.
Not true!
Modern materials and greater knowledge of how a house functions as a system means that old houses can be warm and energy efficient - without compromising an old building’s integrity. |
|
It’s easy to make mistakes when insulating and installing modern heating systems in old houses, because changes affect the way the wall, roof and floor assemblies perform. Originally walls only had to keep the weather out and hold the plaster up. Today, walls are chase ways for wires and pipes, hold insulation and heating elements, and prevent wind infiltration and vapor transmission.
Old windows can waste energy, but small changes to them can reap great rewards without completely replacing them. Blower door tests and infrared photo images often reveal much greater areas of air leakage than what’s going out your windows. Modern insulating materials that seal air leakage and prevent heat loss can be installed with careful planning.
Modern living is more complicated than it used to be and our houses have more demands placed on them to keep out the cold and the heat in. Hudson Valley Preservation understands the science of old homes and can help you make changes that make sense, avoid costly mistakes and bring you comfort for years to come.
« back
|
