10/22/2023
Information about Older, Historic and Heritage Homes
* Homes constructed prior to 1978 may contain lead paint.
* Lead pipes, too, were used in homes up until the late 1940s, and they may allow lead to leach into drinking water.
* Asbestos insulation, which can increase the chances of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma, was used in homes between 1930 and 1950.
* Older homes may suffer thermal losses from single-pane windows, insufficient or compressed insulation, leaking ductwork, and inefficient heaters and other appliances.
* Buried oil tanks were often abandoned and forgotten after homes switched to newer fuel sources.
* From about 1965 to 1973, single-strand aluminum wiring was sometimes used.
* Knob-and-tube (K&T) wiring was used from about 1880 to the 1940s.
* Homes built before the 1970s may not have been equipped with GFCI protection, which guards against overloads, short circuits, and ground faults.
* Homes in the U.S. built before 1962 were not constructed with three-slot (grounded) receptacles.
* Abandoned wells, cesspools, and septic tanks were commonly used before homes and buildings Were connected to public sewer and water systems.
* Cast iron waste pipes (drains) have a life expectancy of 50-60 years. The drains have the tendency to crack due to settlement, rust or poor installation methods and are known to form pin holes near the threads allowing for leaks to occur even at 30 years old (depending on conditions).
Historic buildings are often more energy-efficient than modern construction. In fact, studies have shown that buildings constructed before 1940 require less energy consumption for heating and cooling than houses built during the subsequent 35 years. Before electricity was available, homes capitalized on natural sources of lighting, heating and ventilation because the house itself (not electric lights and heaters)was all that protected occupants from the elements.
Some specific elements of older buildings that contribute to their excellent energy efficiency are as follows:
Thick, heat-retaining masonry walls made from stone or brick; exterior balconies, porches, wide roof overhangs, rooftop ventilators, clerestories, skylights, awnings and shade trees were all used in homes built in warmer climates;
windows often include exterior shutters, interior Venetian blinds, curtains and drapes which make them more energy-efficient than modern windows; exterior walls were often painted light colors to reflect the hot summer sun, resulting in cooler interior living spaces; Skylights, which maximise natural sunlight, were more common in older homes than they are today and windows were only installed where they could effectively allow for lighting and ventilation. Modern architecture, by contrast, relies on more windows than are necessary as a stylistic measure, with a reduced R-value as an unfortunate side effect.
TREC #25101
