Improving the Energy Performance of Heritage Properties in State Care

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In support of EU and Irish climate action targets, the Office of Public Works (OPW) instigated an initiative in 2021 to develop guidance and training on the complexities of renovating heritage properties for improved energy performance without compromising their heritage value.

New technical guidance was developed to assist building professionals ‘OPW Approaches to Improving the Energy Performance of Heritage Properties in State Care’, with six supporting energy renovation case studies of different heritage building typologies, as well as cost benefit analysis covering economic, environmental and socio-cultural benefits. In 2025, the initiative culminated with a 3-day training programme for over 400 public sector personnel and stakeholders, delivered by 35 eminent Irish and international speakers.

The aim of this initiative was to upskill public sector professionals and managers to empower them to commission and design sensitive, effective and innovative energy improvement works for heritage buildings across Ireland, which would act as exemplars across the heritage conservation sector. The initiative established a replicable methodology for assessing traditional buildings, which behave differently from modern structures and require careful consideration of condensation and mould-growth risks, material compatibility and long-term hygrothermal performance.

The OPW guidance, case studies and training course are now all available open-access in the relevant sections that follow.

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