Bath Preservation Trust, the organisation that operates four visitor attractions in the city, including No.1 Royal Crescent, has created an online guide to low carbon living for residents of older homes.
From using old blankets and duvets to improve loft and underfloor insulation, to harvesting rainwater for outside cleaning jobs, regularly bleeding radiators and adopting carbon cutting behaviours, the guide has plenty of ideas to help reduce energy waste and use in historic properties.
With 14 ‘little and low-cost’ suggestions and 16 that have no cost at all, the guide also has a further six ideas to inspire Bath residents to reduce their own impact on the environment.
The digital leaflet also offers clear, practical advice for readers before embarking on any retrofitting measures in their home.
These include understanding the fabric, heritage value and context of a building, minimising any potential harm to its historic character and ‘significance’ – i.e. what’s special because of its age or design – and finding out any grants and funds that may be available to help with retrofit costs.
Photographic examples of energy-saving measures that Bath residents have already fitted in their homes, including secondary glazing, window shutters and under-floorboard insulation, are also shown.
Bath Preservation Trust (BPT), which was set up in 1934, operates the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Beckford’s Tower and the Museum of Bath Architecture as well as No.1 Royal Crescent.
CEO Alex Sherman said the e-leaflet had been created in response to the global need to take urgent climate action.
“Less than 10 years ago the flooding of the Somerset Levels showed us the ramifications of not planning ahead to manage and cope with climate change,” he added.
“Just recently, Storm Arwen again demonstrated that Atlantic winter storms are now a regular feature of Britain’s weather.
“So, such weather events along with long, hot and dry summers will inevitably have an impact on Bath’s own heritage, environment and future.”
BPT believes the city’s traditional buildings and World Heritage Site landscape, in tandem with sustainable growth, can all help to reduce carbon emissions.
“We believe that most residents in older, more traditional properties recognise they too have a duty of care with regard to carbon emissions,” added Alex.
“Installing energy efficiency technology can cut carbon, and cutting back on fossil fuel-derived energy use can make a positive contribution to combatting climate change, in terms of significant carbon and running-cost reductions and warmer living conditions.”
The guide is available to download now at www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk
BPT receives no statutory funding but is supported by visitor income, grants, legacies, donations and around 1,400 members who share a passion for the Bath and its environs.
