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Energy Efficiency in Historic Houses
Regional Seminars: November and December 2010
The Irish Georgian Society (http://www.igs.ie) is partnering with local authority Conservation Officers & Heritage Officers throughout the country during November and December to deliver an Energy Efficiency in Historic Houses seminar series. The first of the five seminars takes place in Galway on Thursday 11th November, with further seminars taking place in Fingal (Thursday 18th November), Cork (Monday 22nd November), Waterford (Thursday 25th November) and Dublin (Monday 6th December).
Those who attend will benefit from practical and appropriate advice and guidance on how to thermally upgrade historic buildings and reduce energy costs whilst ensuring that no damage occurs to their historic fabric and character. Crucially, attendance will equip one with the knowledge of how to obtain the most return for the least cost by doing ‘as much as necessary and as little as possible’ to ensure a comfortable and sustainable home to live in.
The seminars are aimed at the owners of protected structures and buildings located within architectural conservation areas, as well as owners of any traditionally built house. The seminars will also be of particular interest to architects and attendance at the seminars is recognized by the RIAI as a ‘Structured CPD Activity’ (2.5 CPD points).
The seminar programme includes speakers giving expert advice and perspectives on energy efficiency. Grade I RIAI conservation architect Paul Arnold, whose practice researched and wrote the new Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings advice series (www.environ.ie), will provide a conservation architect’s perspective on energy efficiency in historic houses. In addition, Peter Smith, a builder with extensive experience in thermally upgrading old buildings will provide advice on the right insulating methods and materials. Respected historic buildings services engineer, Edith Blennerhassett is going to examine ways of improving the energy efficiency and running costs of an historic building. Katriona Byrne will deliver new research on the Building Energy Rating (BER) and how it applies to old buildings. While the partnering local authority conservation officers are also going to give advice on the planning implications of carrying out works to increase the energy performance of a protected structure, as well as most importantly letting homeowners know about both conservation and energy grants.
The seminars have been kindly supported by the partnering local authorities, ESB, SEAI and the DoEHLG.
To find out about the full programme and book a place (40 euro) view the Irish Georgian Society’s website (http://www.igs.ie), ring (01 676 7053) or email the office (info@igs.ie).