How Should Historic Buildings in the United States Address Energy Efficiency Mandates?Save this picture!Ford's Theater, Washington DC, USA. Image Maxwell MacKenzieThe United States is a country with an extensive history, its buildings holding onto legacies from later times. For their cultural significance, these structures are greatly celebrated and protected, however, they are also exempt from certain energy efficiency mandates. As cities push toward reaching climate goals, these mandates are under scrutiny. Preservationists argue that historic buildings deserve protection from potentially damaging retrofits. On the other hand, sustainability advocates bring up the need for energy efficiency improvements across all sectors of the built environment. The challenge lies in achieving a balance between the competing priorities - ensuring the maintenance of heritage and environmental responsibility.Many interrelated factors lend to the exemption of historic buildings in the U.S. from energy performance codes. A major reason is the commitment to preserving the building's original character. Many historic structures feature unique materials, such as hand-crafted woodwork, masonry, and decorative ironwork, that are at the risk of being compromised by modern energy retrofits. Regulatory bodies such as the National Park Service's Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation emphasize maintaining original materials and avoiding alterations that could diminish the building's authenticity. Save this picture!The cost and complexity of upgrading older buildings to meet contemporary energy standards bring another inevitable challenge. Historic buildings often have structural nuances that make it difficult to integrate high-performance insulation, double-glazed windows, or modern HVAC systems without extreme modifications. Modern energy codes tend to focus on new construction and major renovations, which implies that many historic buildings, unless undergoing substantial redevelopment, remain untouched by energy regulations. Related Article The Hidden Carbon Cost of Climate Retrofits Historic buildings constitute a significant part of the urban fabric and can consume substantial amounts of the city's energy. While some structures were designed with passive climate control strategies, others rely on outdated mechanical systems that contribute to excessive energy use. This inefficiency is especially an issue in cities with high concentrations of historic properties, such as New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Without a concerted effort to address their energy performance, these buildings could undermine broader urban sustainability efforts.Local governments in the U.S. are beginning to push for greater accountability when it comes to the energy performance of historic buildings. New York City's Local Law 97, for example, places emissions caps on large buildings, including many historic structures, signaling a shift away from blanket exemptions. Some cities are also requiring energy benchmarking and performance reporting for historic structures, even if they are not yet subject to specific retrofit mandates. These policies mark the beginning of a broader trend toward increasing the sustainability of existing buildings, including those with historic status.Save this picture!Save this picture!Along with upcoming policy updates, technological advancements are also making it more feasible to retrofit historic buildings without compromising their architectural character. In some cases, adaptive reuse projects present opportunities to integrate sustainability measures without excessive alterations to the historic fabric. However, many property owners remain hesitant to pursue energy upgrades due to concerns over cost, regulatory hurdles, and the potential for adverse effects on historic integrity.A driver of change is the increased availability of financial incentives aimed at encouraging sustainable retrofits of historic buildings. The federal Historic Tax Credit program, which provides financial support for rehabilitation projects, has helped incentivize preservation. Some states and municipalities are now incorporating energy efficiency grants and tax incentives into these programs, making it easier for property owners to invest in energy-saving improvements. These incentives are crucial in addressing the economic barriers that often prevent historic buildings from being upgraded. Some of America's most iconic buildings, from the Ford Foundation Headquarters in New York to historic courthouses across the Midwest, have already undergone modern energy retrofits that preserve their legacy while meeting contemporary sustainability standards. Save this picture!These projects serve as proof that heritage and progress can coexist. Historic building retrofits challenge architects and engineers to think outside the box. Unlike modern buildings designed with adaptability in mind, historic structures present unique constraints that require creative solutions. This often leads to breakthroughs in material science and engineering that benefit preservation efforts but also contribute to the broader field of sustainable architecture.Balancing historic preservation with energy efficiency is an arduous task, but it is increasingly clear that these two goals are not mutually exclusive. Many experts argue that a more flexible, performance-based approach to energy codes for historic buildings could be the key to achieving both objectives. Instead of imposing rigid standards that may not be feasible for historic properties, performance-based codes would allow owners to implement tailored solutions that improve energy efficiency while preserving the unique qualities of their buildings. Increased collaboration between preservationists, sustainability professionals, and policymakers could enable solutions that respect both heritage and climate goals.Save this picture!Looking ahead, it is likely that historic buildings will face increased pressure to comply with energy efficiency standards. The challenge will be crafting regulations that recognize the importance of these structures while also ensuring they contribute to national and local sustainability efforts. Emerging policies, technologies, and financial incentives suggest that a path forward exists that bridges the gap between preservation and performance. While historic buildings have long enjoyed exemptions from energy codes, the future will likely require a more integrated approach, ensuring that these treasured structures remain both culturally significant and environmentally responsible for generations to come.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorAnkitha GattupalliAuthorCite: Ankitha Gattupalli. "How Should Historic Buildings in the United States Address Energy Efficiency Mandates?" 17 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1026988/how-should-historic-buildings-in-the-united-states-address-energy-efficiency-mandates&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream