Frequently Asked Questions About Heritage
Sustainability
1. What is the B.C. Heritage Branch doing to promote
sustainability?
We are working with individuals, organizations and
government branches to promote the conservation of the
historic built environment. Through workshops and
forums, we attempt to advise and educate on what it
means to preserve and rehabilitate older buildings and
make them environmentally friendly. We also fund
projects that encourage rehabilitation. The
Heritage Sustainability Report is a result of the
Simon Fraser University City Program forum on Heritage
Conservation & Sustainability in February, 2006.
2. What makes older buildings "green"?
In addition to operating costs,
embodied energy must be
considered when examining the environmental impact of a
building. If you tear a building down and send its
materials to a landfill, you waste all of its stored
energy. If you replace the older building with a new
one, you use additional energy. For more on what makes
older buildings environmentally friendly, see
Heritage Conservation and
Sustainability.
3. Why should traditional buildings be upgraded?
Upgrades reduce operating costs, make a building more
environmentally friendly, improve comfort within the
building and prolong the life of the building. This
rehabilitation also makes our communities more
attractive for residents and visitors. Visit our
Greening Your Home page for additional information.
5. Should I replace my traditional windows with new
windows?
Repairing your traditional windows is almost always
more cost effective and environmentally friendly than
replacing them. The payback period of replacing historic
wood windows is estimated at over 30 years, and despite
"lifetime warranties" offered by manufacturers, vinyl
frames have a life expectancy of only 20-25 years.
Additionally, new windows are often made of
environmentally harmful materials, such as vinyl and
aluminum, that require a lot of energy to manufacture
and are difficult to recycle, while traditional windows
are constructed of strong timber. Visit our
Windows and
Materials pages for
additional information.
6. Will upgrades compromise the heritage value of my
home?
Although there are challenges associated with energy
efficiency upgrades of traditionally constructed
buildings, older buildings can be environmentally
friendly without compromising their character defining
features. Alterations should conform to the
Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of
Historic Places in Canada.
7. Does the government offer financial assistance for
property owners upgrading their buildings?
There are several programs that offer grants for
individuals and organizations seeking to improve the
energy efficiency of their buildings. Before financial
assistance is awarded, many programs require property
owners to first hire a
certified energy
advisor. An advisor can suggest improvements and
help plan retrofits, as well as apply for grants on your
behalf. Visit our Financial
Incentives page for more information.
8. Why are buildings demolished?
According to one Canadian study examining the reasons
for demolishing 227 residential and commercial buildings
in St. Paul, Minnesota, most buildings are demolished
because of area redevelopment. Despite the majority of
buildings being 51-100+ years old, only eight buildings
had structural problems or other materials or system
problems.
References
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