There are countless heritage buildings that present a significant opportunity for reducing energy use within the worldwide building stock.  However, modern codes and standards are often ill-equipped to accommodate the passive and historic HVAC strategies employed in these buildings.  As a consequence, historic buildings were and are often “modernized” with little regard for the significance and functionality of their systems, resulting in the disruption to heritage finishes and building components.  To recognize their role in the industry as a whole and to better accommodate the considerations unique to heritage building the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers has created the ASHRAE Standard 34P:  Energy Guideline for Historical Buildings.  It is currently in its second public review draft, a draft that is available here for comment.

For more information visit:  sustainableconservation.ca