"Estonia has the opportunity to be an example in the conceptualization and development of the topics of cultural heritage and energy efficiency throughout Europe. Until now, these two fields have been considered mutually exclusive. We will have the opportunity to show their common part," said Reesi Sild, heritage protection adviser of the Ministry of Culture.
"Cultural heritage buildings are allowed exceptions when meeting the minimum energy efficiency requirements, but heritage buildings also deserve better solutions for modernization. LIFE heritageHOME makes it possible to develop a comprehensive consulting service that helps make it easier to implement more energy-efficient solutions in protected buildings," she explained.
LIFE heritageHOME is a research development project aimed at owners of heritage buildings, focusing on the challenges and opportunities of renovating historic buildings under national or local protection. The project supports the implementation of the LIFE IP BuildEST project covering all of Estonia. The aim is to also include protected buildings in the renovation marathon in a way that preserves the distinctiveness and values of the buildings while seeking energy efficiency.
In the course of the project, the energy efficiency possibilities of cultural heritage residential buildings and the journey of the owners in the renovation process will be mapped, and the renovation consulting service will be improved. Procedures that facilitate the implementation of value-based energy efficiency improvement solutions in protected buildings are thought through, suitable renovation solutions are developed, the understanding of experts from different areas of life is harmonized and cooperation between institutions is increased in the implementation of solutions. A digital energy efficiency improvement consultation service aimed at owners of heritage buildingswill also be created.
In addition to the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Climate, the Heritage Protection Board, Tallinn University of Technology, the Estonian Academy of Arts and ICOMOS Estonia participate in the three-year project. The project has a budget of 1.49 million euros and is 95% financed through the LIFE-2022-CET program of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), which is intended for environmental and climate action projects.
More information about the project can be found on the website of the Ministry of Culture.
