Ett nytt verktyg för att guida till och bedöma energieffektiviseringsåtgärder i historiska hus har lanserats av den internationella organisationen the Association for Preservation Technology. Verktyget, som kallas OSCAR, beskrivs på följande sätt:
This initial launch of OSCAR examines only the treatment of three components—roofs, walls, and windows, which are among the most visible features of historic buildings. Although the focus of this first release is narrow, the same principles will be employed in the entire tool, using a holistic approach—whole building ecology—in which other components and elements, such as the rest of the building’s envelope, will be examined to devise the best solution to preserve historic character in an environmentally sustainable cultural resource.