Sustainability and heritage conservation: Assessment of environmental performance and energy management for historic churches

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary findings of research on the sus-tainability in the historic built environment, currently being undertaken at the department of architecture, the University of Cambridge. The research focuses on the environmental performance of historic churches, whose construction typology - high ceilings, massive un-insulated masonry walls, decorative finishes, etc. - provides particularly difficult environmental challenges. This paper investigates the current environmental conditions occurring in four case studies in Cambridge and appraises the efficiency of different representative types of heating systems and strategies currently being used to regulate the indoor environment in the selected cases. The study has employed monitoring of the internal conditions and energy meter readings during autumn 2010 to estimate the energy consumed in each case. This paper presents the results and findings, and the first steps towards developing a conceptual framework for performance assessment and decision - making for public heritage buildings. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012.