Ancient buildings help harbour heat.

(From Aberdeen Press & Journal)

Byline: susan.welsh

THERE is good news to be had for owners of old properties.

Results conducted for The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) on the energy efficiency of old buildings suggest that standard U-value calculations used across the construction industry underestimate the thermal performance of traditional walls.

U-value is the unit used to describe the rate of heat transmittance or loss through a wall, roof or floor.

In some instances, it appears that heat loss through traditional materials can be up to three times lower than expected.

Even taking into account a …