Simple and inexpensive measures can make your home more energy efficient, a conference will hear today at The Hub in Edinburgh.

Historic Scotland-lead research will show that traditional buildings are much maligned in their energy efficiency performance, and can make a positive difference to combating climate change on a range of fronts.

David Mitchell, Director of the Technical Conservation Group at Historic Scotland, who has organised the conference, said: "There is a perception that older buildings perform poorly in terms of energy efficiency. This over simplification often stems from a lack of knowledge on how traditional buildings work. However, tomorrow, research will be presented which shows how simple measures can improve performance of traditional buildings rather than expensive and less sustainable solutions commonly marketed."

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The conference, the first of it’s kind to be held in Scotland, is expected to attract over 250 delegates from across Europe including planners and architects, and is part of Historic Scotland’s ongoing work in promoting a sound technical understanding of traditional buildings.

The programme will include discussions on technical issues, future research projects and the release of research findings from The Performance of Traditional Windows and Practice Improvements – a joint project between HS and Glasgow Caledonian University which included tests being conducted within a housing cooperative to demonstrate that the measures were not disruptive or hard to live with.

Other topics to be discussed from key speakers in the industry include thermal performance of traditional masonry walls; thermal mass and ventilation; advice on how to improving traditional building performance; wider considerations in energy efficiency and the existing housing stock, and consent and planning issues.

(GK/KMcA)