Energy efficiency in historic buildings

Before you carry out any energy efficiency works to your listed building, it's important that it's already well-maintained and in good repair.

Cracked renders, blocked gutters, damaged windows, and inappropriate materials (such as cement renders and plastic based paints) can lead to problems with damp.

If your building has damp, you won't see the benefits of improving its energy efficiency.

If your listed building is in good repair, then a 'whole house' approach should be used. This means considering all works that would improve energy efficiency, without harming the building's historic or architectural interest.

There are a few simple upgrades you can make, which do not need permission. They include:

• heavy curtains
• draught excluders
• rugs and carpets
• insulating hot water tanks

Many energy efficiency measures are covered by building regulations - most notably Parts F and L, which cover ventilation and energy efficiency.

Whilst works to historic buildings must comply with these measures as far as possible, exceptions are written into the regulations where 'to do so would unacceptably alter the dwelling's character or appearance'.

There are also similar exemptions for the private renting of buildings where Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) apply.

 

Whether you will need listed building consent, planning permission or building regulations approval will depend on what the proposed works are.

Please note that there will be exceptions, which will depend on the building.

Lower impact measures should always be considered first.

The table below gives you an idea as to what permission(s) you might need, depending on what you'd like to do.

Proposed works	Impact (low or high)	Requires listed building consent	Requires planning permission	Requires building regulations approval
Secondary glazing	Low	Unlikely	No	No
Draught proofing	Low	Unlikely	No	No
Loft insulation at joists/floor	Low	Unlikely	No	No
Chimney and flue upgrades	Low	Possibly - if historic fabric needs changing or removing	Yes (if externally visible)	No
Replacing lighting or lightbulbs	Low	Unlikely	No	No - only for new light fittings
Ground mounted solar panels, or fixed to modern outbuilding of no significance	Low	No	Yes	Yes
New or replacement internal heating systems	Low	Unlikely	No	Yes
Ground source heat pumps	Low	Possibly - if historic fabric needs changing or removing	Yes - if externally visible	Yes
Replacement of windows and doors	High	Yes	Yes	Yes
Internal or external wall, roof and floor insulation	High	Yes	Possibly - if externally visible	Yes
Solar panels fixed directly to historic building	High	Yes	Yes	Yes
External boilers	High	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wind turbines	High	Yes	Yes	Yes
Air source heat pumps	High	Possibly - if historic fabric needs changing or removing	Yes - if externally visible	Yes

 

If you would like to discuss your plans further, please email heritage@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk

You can also phone 0300 123 4000 (Option 5, Option 3).

Further information

• Read our information about Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
• Statutory guidance - Ventilation: Approved Document F
• Statutory guidance - Conservation of fuel and power: Approved Document L