University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Theses (Historic Preservation) Graduate Program in Historic Preservation January 2008 Shades of Green: Improving the Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact of Historic Building Anita M. Franchetti University of Pennsylvania Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses Franchetti, Anita M., "Shades of Green: Improving the Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact of Historic Building" (2008). Theses (Historic Preservation). 105. https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/105 A thesis in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of Science in Historic Preservation 2008. Advisor: Michael C. Henry This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/105 For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Shades of Green: Improving the Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact of Historic Building Abstract The recent dramatic increase in oil prices as well as a growing worldwide concern with climate change has brought renewed attention and interest in energy efficiency and consideration for the environment among all areas of industry, in particular the built environment. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, operational energy consumption in residential and commercial buildings accounted for 40% of total energy consumed in the United States in 2007, and produced nearly 48% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions.