For many of us in the heritage and sustainable fields, ‘Old is the New Green’.  Many years ago Thoreau mused, ”What’s the use of a house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?”    However, as recently as the 1920’s most commercial buildings were relatively energy efficient. We have much to learn and much of value to preserve in our architectural heritage.  Older buildings have embodied energy and many traditional buildings were ‘built to last’. We have inherent community through the sense of place that traditional vernacular architecture generates, and much of this building stock is sensitive to its climate and the surrounding environment.  Many people worry about their old windows, but windows in fact account for only 10% on average of buildings’ energy loss. Doors average 11%, plumbing penetrations 13%, fireplaces 14%, ducts 15% with floors, walls and ceilings accounting for 31%.  Windows are just obvious and easy to replace with good profit for builders. We recommend reviewing the benefits of re-caulking and restoring heritage windows in our climate before total replacement.  On a social and economic level consider this statement, “ I wonder why it is so difficult for folks to see that historic preservation and community revitalization, coupled with proper infrastructure investments, can serve as genuine economic engines and job generators. And none of those jobs can be outsourced.” Robinne Gray, Mar 9, 2010.