Sustainability and historic preservation : how federal policies and green marketing conspire to sell window replacement and what can be done about it

Abstract

Owners of historic houses who want to improve their home‟s energy efficiency face conflicting information regarding the best practices for single-pane windows. Federal agencies and window replacement manufacturers encourage window replacement, while preservationists favor repairing old windows and adding storm units. Despite federal policies that encourage sustainable practices, publications by agencies such as the Department of Energy favor window replacement over other, more sustainable, retrofits. Window manufacturers use this opportunity to their full advantage in their own sustainable marketing strategies. In order to counter the negative effects of federal agencies and window manufacturers on old windows, historic preservationists must analyze the problem and, using this research, develop a comprehensive marketing plan that identifies sustainable solutions that save money, energy and the environment. This project is a first step in that direction.