HVAC Retrofitting Benefits For Centralia’s Historic Buildings

If you have a historic building that needs an HVAC upgrade, there are ways to do it without sacrificing its character. Smart HVAC solutions like hidden duct systems and underfloor air distribution help preserve historical architecture while increasing energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

There are many benefits to upgrading your existing system with a newer model.

1. Increased Energy Efficiency

Historic buildings are inherently green, built with traditional materials and methods that have minimal carbon impacts. Retrofitting them with HVAC systems helps to extend these advantages and reduce energy consumption.

Choosing the right system depends on the building’s use and purpose, but meticulous planning can ensure that the new equipment is properly sized to avoid overusing or underusing energy. The right size system will also make it easier to adjust the climate control as the building’s use changes.

Adding insulation can help to improve energy efficiency, but it’s important to carefully plan these improvements to avoid oversizing the system or damaging the building’s exterior cladding or interior walls. For example, some historic buildings have low ceilings that make adding ductwork difficult and masking or altering architectural features risky.

In the past, many historic buildings have been rehabbed to meet seismic standards without considering their energy efficiency. With integrated energy, cost, and seismic performance planning, these historic properties can be re-functioned to save energy while protecting their cultural integrity.

2. Reduced Utility Bills

By addressing temperature distribution issues, retrofitting improves energy efficiency by heating and cooling only the areas that need it. Depending on the size of your home or commercial space, this may result in significant energy savings.

In addition, reducing energy consumption helps to reduce operating costs. Upgrading to an energy-efficient system will save on utility bills and provide a quick return on investment.

Zoning allows you to control the temperature in different parts of your building or office based on their usage. This ensures that each area is heated or cooled appropriately, preventing overworking of your equipment. This results in a longer life span and improved efficiency.

It is against the law to change the use of, reconstruct, restore, remodel, repair, move, or demolish any property that is designated in the City of Centralia Local Register Historic District without review and a certificate of appropriateness or waiver. This review may be conducted by the commission.

3. Increased Comfort

A century ago, Centralia was a bustling small town filled with shops and residents supported by coal mines that fueled their homes and the economy. Today, the ghost town is nearly empty, with smoke still wafting down its streets. A coal mine fire has been burning beneath the town for over 50 years, destroying buildings and forcing residents to leave.

The town’s revitalization effort includes efforts to attract new businesses to reopen storefronts, including the refurbished Olympic Club Hotel, now a McMenamins property that serves breakfast and dinner. There is also a focus on establishing an arts community with art studios and galleries, as well as encouraging second floor residential spaces for live-above-work-below industries.

Depending on the use of a historic building, the alterations and details required for HVAC retrofitting will vary. For example, museums require specialized climate control systems that are designed to preserve their collections; however, for commercial or residential buildings, alterations and details may be more lenient. A life-cycle cost analysis is often used to determine the best energy efficient retrofitting measures for historical buildings.

4. Increased Value

Historic buildings are a precious, non-renewable community resource. Their preservation, protection and use are important public services and a legitimate responsibility of city government. When they are lost, their value is gone forever.

Using HVAC retrofitting in historic buildings requires a special skill set. It involves combining energy efficiency with sensitivity to preserving the character of the building. This is why it’s important to find a contractor who specializes in heating and air conditioning for historic buildings.

Many of the historic buildings in Centralia are slowly coming back to life again. The Lewis and Clark Event Center is a great example. This former hotel has been transformed into a senior living complex and event center. It is a beautiful building that is full of history and is a great addition to the town of Centralia. It also contributes to the economy of the area by providing jobs. Many people are drawn to the area because of its history and the many businesses that offer a variety of products.