Energy conservation in Bedford Park houses
Mar 13, 2024
The Bedford Park Society has published guidelines for owners of properties in the Bedford Park Conservation Areas. Much of the advice is also relevant to improving energy efficiency in Chiswick’s traditionally constructed heritage homes.
Most local authorities, including London Borough of Hounslow and London Borough of Ealing, consider the fabric and details of homes in conservation areas, to be too crucial to be compromised by unsuitable changes to their historic value.
ENERGY CONSERVATION IN BEDFORD PARK HOUSES - FREE GUIDE
Most general measures to reduce energy consumption have no impact on the historic value. Such measures include; lagging pipes, radiator valves, boiler flow, smart meters, heating control systems, LED lighting and draught proofing front doors.
REDUCE HEAT AND ENERGY LOSS
The guidelines point towards draught-proofing and secondary glazing as relatively straightforward measures. Original windows are favoured due to their historic significance and visual appeal, and considering the higher carbon cost of disposing old windows.
ENERGY GENERATION
Upgrading an elderly boiler is the preferred option as it’s unlikely to affect historic value but there is limited scope for renewable solutions such as solar panels, and ground or air source heat pumps. Cases are considered on their individual merits by the relevant Chiswick,W4 local authority.
INSULATION
These include loft, flat roof, ground floor and sealed double glazing, which all need to be considered in the context of avoiding condensation by ensuring sufficient ventilation. This can be complex as the prevention of healthy ventilation can cause more problems than it solves.
SEALED DOUBLE GLAZING
Within Bedford Park, the exact detail and character or joinery (internal and external) is a major component of the Conservation Areas. The advice is mostly relevant to non-listed buildings. For the listed buildings in particular, the potential impact considered to be so significant, that the loss of any details without compelling justification is not deemed acceptable by either council.
ROOFLIGHTS AND EPC RATING
Guidance refers to thermal performance, light pollution and environmental impact. The real performance of an old house is considered to be better than the EPC indicates because the traditional building methods used lead to higher thermal performance that modern construction methods.
PLANNING AND/OR LISTED BUILDING CONSENT PROCESS
The advice covers planning permission, the Listed Building Consent process and a list of information sources.
Image: www.bedfordpark.org.uk
