Abstract
Around 30% of the European building stock was built before 1950, when no regulations about energy efficiency were in force. Since only a small part of them has been renovated by now, the energy performance of this building stock is on average quite poor, resulting in a significant impact on the energy balance of European countries, as confirmed by data published by ISTAT (Italian National Statistical Institute). However, energy retrofit in historic edifices is a quite demanding issue as any intervention must take into account the need to preserve existing building materials and appearances while also allowing reversibility and low invasiveness. As an example, in these buildings it is not possible to apply an ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite System), since this would alter the historic and architectural value of the façade. On the other hand, internal insulation would have the drawback of reducing the net useful floor area, which also implies a loss of economic value. Moreover, internal insulation may induce overheating risks and mold formation. In this paper, all these issues are investigated with reference to an existing historic building located in southern Italy, showing that a retrofit strategy aimed at energy savings and cost-effectiveness is still possible if suitable materials and solutions are adopted.
Highlights
Internal insulation may induce overheating risks and mold formation. All these issues are investigated with reference to an existing historic building located in southern Italy, showing that a retrofit strategy aimed at energy savings and cost-effectiveness is still possible if suitable materials and solutions are adopted
If one considers the current low rates of new constructions, it is undeniable that any action towards energy efficiency in buildings has to envisage a substantial energy retrofit of the existing building stock
This study has analysed the effectiveness of different Energy Efficiency Retrofit Measures (EERMs) for the energy retrofit of a historic building in the Mediterranean climate, taking into account their cost efficiencies through a cost-optimal approach
Summary
The adjective ‘historic’, if applied to a building, does not refer just to the fact of belonging to the past and indicates that that building has a certain historical significance due to its cultural and architectural value. 42 of 22 January 2004 (Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape). A small percentage of historic buildings can even be considered to belong to the cultural heritage, and in Italy they fall under the regulations of Legislative Decree no.
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