The 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.
