RIAI, Engineers Ireland Conservation Group and SCSI joint Seminar: Appropriate Thermal Upgrade for Historic Structures (4207)

Organised in conjunction with the RIAI and SCSI, this seminar is an opportunity to engage with experts working on the complex and essential topic of historic structures energy use, and to discuss the collaborative role each building profession and trade has in managing the appropriate thermal upgrade of such buildings. We will join building professionals and skilled practitioners to explore how we can best bring our historic building stock successfully into this energy aware period.

The building sector is one of the key consumers of energy in Europe using approximately 450Mtoe per annum of which space heating accounts for about 70 per cent of the total energy use [1]. Retrofitting thermal insulation to existing buildings can reduce unnecessary heat loss minimising energy consumption. Historic buildings (built before 1944) form a large proportion of the building stock of most European cities. They are often of architectural and historic interest and it is essential that any thermal upgrading does not undermine their special character. In most cases, a balance can be found between protecting the building's heritage value and energy saving interventions that lessen adverse environmental impact, reduce building energy costs and improve occupant comfort ensuring the long-term viability of historic buildings. The architectural and historic significance of the exterior facades of historic buildings precludes the use of external insulation for most structures. Internal insulation is considered a more viable alternative although it can still be invasive by introducing new materials, replacing historic linings, disturbing internal features such as joinery and distorting the original room proportions.

Early bird rates are available.

To book a place and for further information, please click here.