The impact of the new EPBD “Green Houses” in the Italian building context: Technical-economic analysis on improving the energy class of existing buildings

Abstract

The new European directive “Green Houses” aims at the decarbonization of the existing building stock. In this work, three building types widespread in Italy are analysed, virtually positioned in Palermo, Naples, and Milan. Considering that almost 60% of Italian residential buildings fall within the G and F energy classes, three energy retrofit measures are proposed (thermal insulation of vertical walls and roofs; replacement of the methane gas boiler for building heating and domestic hot water with a high temperature air-to-water heat pump; installation of a photovoltaic system), in order to reach at least D energy class based on Italian energy performance certification. A simulation-based approach is used. A declining tendency is noted in the normalized prices of the interventions when moving from detached house to terraced house and from terraced house to apartment in a tower building. Shifting from an independent to a centralized air conditioning system results in the same savings. Considering equal building features, hotter and milder climate zones reach higher energy classes; this also results in more difficult energy efficiency improvement in colder climates. Potential inequalities result from the implementation of the new European directive. Economic incentives to support the energy efficiency transition should be tailored to more specific conditions.