With the dwindling supply of energy resources and new efficiency demands placed on the existing building stock, more and more historic buildings are expected to be able to conserve energy and/or improve weatherization by adding insulation and storm windows or caulking exterior building joints. The concern is that these efficiency measures can result in an inappropriate alteration of the building’s important architectural features or cause serious damage to historic building materials. The goal is to achieve the greatest energy savings with the least alteration, while using materials that do not cause damage.

Preservationists are engaged in a dialogue with green building advocates who prefer new, very energy efficient buildings. Calculating the energy balance between green building and preserving an existing stock of buildings centers around embodied energy. But, the economics of preserving historic districts also include tourism dollars and priceless cultural heritage. We'll keep following the debate at GCBL.

Below are a list of resource for historical renovation and energy efficiency

Building doctor
Conserving energy in historical preservation
U.S. Green Building Coalition
Buildings Industry Council
The Association for Preservation Technology International
Whole Building Design Guide