Edinburgh is a historic city that’s famed for its stunning architecture. It is one of the cities in the country with the most listed buildings per square meter, and many buildings are considered sites of historical significance.
As a result, these properties require permission from the local authorities before work can be carried out that changes the character of the building. In some cases, permission might not be granted if the changes requested are deemed to be too significant or aren’t in keeping with the period when it was built.
Still, that doesn’t mean that companies operating from listed buildings can’t benefit from modern technology. Solutions such as renewable energy sources and sustainable technology can still be used, but you might have to find innovative ways to make the most of them, as this article outlines.
Make The Most Of Connected Tech
Many sustainable solutions, such as paperless digital archiving tools and streamlining solutions, are software-based and don’t require any hardware except a computer and an internet connection. As such, you can make the most of these solutions without any changes to your property. Therefore, before you make drastic changes to your business, consider exploring all the options and finding the ones that will work for your company.
Work With The Right Technology Providers
When it comes to listed buildings, you need bespoke solutions. One size does not fit all in this case, so you need to work with companies that can offer custom solutions that will work for you. For example, if you’re considering installing solar panels, but can’t add them to your property’s roof, then solar power experts AR Power can offer alternative options, such as ground-mounted solar arrays or solar carports. With bespoke solutions such as these, you can quickly find inventive ways to incorporate renewable energy sources into your business operations.
Consider Off-Site Alternatives
If you’re struggling to find ways to generate renewable energy on your commercial property without compromising its period features, consider off-site solutions. For example, buying your energy from a company that uses wind farms to generate it could be an option. Check out all the various options that will help you to cut costs and reduce your company’s carbon footprint without making major alterations to your listed premises.
Share Your Reasoning
For changes that you really want to make, such as upgrading old technology or adding new solutions to reduce energy usage, you need to persuade your local council that the alterations are in everyone’s best interests. Therefore, you may have to put significant time and effort into your application to get it approved. Share examples of other companies that have benefited from these changes and outline exactly how much energy they will save to make sure your application is as persuasive and, therefore, likely to succeed as it can be possibly be.
To Sum Up: Do Your Research
At the end of the day, anything is possible, and most sustainable technologies can be used in listed buildings as long as you’re creative. Still, you need to be prepared and make sure you go about things correctly. After all, in Scotland, it is a criminal offence to carry out alterations to a listed building without permission, so you need to make sure you’ve got it or that you don’t need it before you make any changes. The key is to carry out thorough research and make sure you’re comfortable with your decision before you invest. You’ll then be able to make the most of the latest technology without compromising the design of the listed property you have the privilege to run your business out of.
