Energy demand, efficiency measures and embodied energy in the Italian residential sector

This paper investigates a strategy for energy saving in the Italian residential sector that includes in the assessment the embodied energy related to the efficiency measures. Simulations are run in three main cities (Milan, Rome and Naples) covering different climate zones. The purpose is, firstly, to estimate the baseline of the buildings energy consumption, secondly, to simulate the implementation of realistic retrofit solutions and, finally, to assess the retrofitting’ embodied energy and its energy payback time. The energy payback is based on the comparison between the net saved operational site energy and the embodied energy of the selected measures. By running the simulations, it is possible to estimate the maximum potential for energy savings and realistic estimation of achievable results in short-medium period. Results show the energy efficiency measures more convenient in terms of energy payback depending on the climate zone. For Naples, a focus on façade insulation has been held and the results defined the optimal material thickness in terms of embodied energy and net saved operational site energy in a life cycle of 15 years.