This Old [Green] House

Posted by Anna Applegate on 28 April 2011

In a world where words like “sustainability” and “green” are becoming increasingly common in public discourse, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by unfamiliar jargon, confusing tax credits, and the expense and effort that is seemingly required to make your home more “environmentally friendly.” For owners of old and historic homes, the task feels virtually impossible, as advocates for replacement windows, new construction, and even many environmental certification groups want us to believe that our old homes are hopelessly inefficient and outdated in an increasingly sustainable world. 

It’s more than likely that you’ve heard a fair amount about LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), solar panels, and the benefits of replacing your windows, but how much do you know about the inherent sustainability of your old home? Besides having unique character and an irreplaceable link to the past, most old homes were built to last, harnessing many features that we classify as “green” today.

Yet many sustainable advocates place far more emphasis on the environmental benefits of constructing a new building, which can be tailored to every sustainable specification imaginable. In the midst of the excitement and buzz that surrounds the green building movement, perspective is often lost and little attention is paid to the fact that, at the end of the day, building and consuming more only adds to the problem. Richard Moe, former president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation said, “We can’t build our way out of our environmental problems, but we can — and must — make better, wiser use of what we’ve already built. That’s what sustainability is all about.”

Although admittedly not as glamorous as a newly constructed house chock full of low-flow plumbing fixtures and cork floors, one of the best things that we can do for the environment is to preserve and sustain our existing homes. Often there are many inherently sustainable features in old houses, such as natural building materials, embodied energy, and smart site selection. However, these features by themselves aren’t enough and homeowners must make additional provisions to keep up with the growing demand for efficient buildings…but how?  How can your old or historic home be “green” while responsibly maintaining its appearance and character?  It can be done, and the checklist below offers many easy-to-accomplish suggestions to get you started.  Consider it your spring cleaning list, but with a much longer — and greater — impact.

Energy Efficiency

• Perform an Energy Audit
  • Find Local Auditors at www.energystar.org
  • Duke Energy customers can request free audits at 1-877-388-7676
  • Perform self-audits by using steps outlined at www.energystar.org or www.regreenprogram.org
• Insulate Attics, Basements, and Walls
• Maintain Historic Windows
  • Caulk
  • Add weather stripping to window sashes
  • Install interior window treatments
  • Make sure storm windows work properly
  • Keep exterior window surfaces painted
  • Replace glazing compound, broken locks, and any broken panes
• Maximize Air Condition Efficiency
  • Seal Ducts
  • Change filters monthly
  • Turn thermostat off or up when not at home
• Install Fans
• Use Efficient Lighting
  • Use compact fluorescent lights when appropriate
  • Use dimmers, timers, and sensors
  • Utilize task lighting

Kitchens/Bathroom/Laundry Room

• Energy Star Appliances
  • Replace only at the end of existing appliances' life cycles
• Maintain Appliances
• Improve Efficiency of Hot Water System
  • Insulate hot water lines
  • Use low-flow fixtures
• Check for Leaky Toilets
• Use Formaldehyde-Free Cabinets & Reclaimed Countertops if Originals Must Be Replaced
• Use Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Supplies

Interior Décor

• Use VOC-Free Paints, Sealants & Stains
  • Find approved lines at www.greenseal.org
• Choose Sustainable Fabrics, Floorcoverings, Wallcoverings & Furnishings
  • Third party certification can be found through the Sustainable Furnishings Council and Forest Stewardship Council
• Shop Vintage

On the Outside

• Xeriscaping & Native Landscaping
• Use Recycled Rain and Gray Water
• Solar Powered Lighting
• Plant Deciduous Trees Near the Home

Taking Advantage of Incentives

• HOME STAR
• Rebates
• Loan Programs
• For a Complete List, see www.dsireusa.org

Anna Applegate is a designer, writer, and new mom living in Winston-Salem. She also loves to hunt for and refurbish old furniture. You can read more about her at her blog, An Apple A Day.