by Erin Hanafin Berg, Field Representative
October 29, 2009

Have you heard about Minnesota’s weatherization program for low-income residents, which got a huge boost in funding from the federal stimulus bill? (If not, read about it on Congressman Jim Oberstar’s Facebook blog or check out the nifty graphs on the Department of Energy’s web page.)

Preservation advocates, including the staff of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, at first were concerned that this money would go towards window replacement, artificial siding, and other so-called “improvements” that could seriously affect historic fabric. (Historic windows are a particular item of concern for the Preservation Alliance.) But, as it turns out, the state administrators of this program are on our same page. One state staffer recently stated to a member of the SHPO staff that the program was “not interested in window replacement, because that’s not where heat loss comes from.” How is that for validation?

You might not be imagining things if your home feels drafty, though. Oodles of weatherization resources are available on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s website, including featured downloads on topics such as Energy Efficient Strategies for Cold Climates. If that is not enough, the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s State Energy Office has published a Minnesota Weatherization Field Guide with lots of technical data (it is intended for pros) and some good illustrations. There’s even a picture that explains how to close off the air leaks within the walls of an old, balloon-framed house. (Balloon framing was the most common type of house construction through the early 1900s.)

We’d like to know how concerned you are about weatherization and energy efficiency of your historic or older building, so drop us a line at PAMfieldnotes@gmail.com

Stay warm and healthy!