Owners of historical homes who want to make heir homes more energy efficient face some unique challenges, mainly because most modifications would clash with the home’s image. Certain districts even require permission before making small modifications. Yet there are some options – weatherstripping, insulation, storm windows and high-efficiency light bulbs generally reduce utility bills without taking anything away from the historic appeal of the house. Also, older homes are often more energy efficient than newer homes anyway; thick masonry, shade trees, awnings and skylights were common when many older homes were built, back when electricity could not be relied upon for heating and cooling. To find out more about this topic, check out our new article on enhancing energy efficiency in historic buildings.