“Soluzioni bioclimatiche e di building automation per la riqualificazione energetica di un edificio residenziale in clima Mediterraneo” = “Bioclimatic and building automation solutions for the energy retrofit of a residential building in Mediterranean climate”

The aim of this work was to establish the efficacy and the management modes of passive solar components and high energy efficiency systems on a case study in Mediterranean area. The case study consists of the housing renovation of a terraced house characterized by orientation not congruent with the principles of bioclimatic architecture, situated in the apulian coastal area (Noicattaro, Italy, 41°02’00”N, 16°59’00”E, 50 m a.s.l.). In terms of energy retrofitting, the intervention consists mainly in: improving performance of the opaque and transparent envelope, insertion of two solar sunspaces oriented east and west, replacement of the gas-fired heat generator with an air-to-water heat pump, installation of a "canadian well" for free-cooling and installation of a solar thermal system for the production of domestic hot water (SDHW). It is also planned the installation of a photovoltaic system that would allow the achievement of the NZEB’s targets. The results of performed simulations with TRNSYS calculation code showed that, despite the orientation is not optimal, the solar sunspaces contribute appreciably to the reduction of winter energy requirements and that the performance can be significantly improved by a mechanical ventilation system controlled by a differential thermostat able to regulate the ventilation between the sunspaces and the building. However, the climatic conditions in summer time require the use of solar shading and proper ventilation of those solar sunspaces. The automatic control (Building Automation System, BAS) of the solar shadings can assure a significant reduction in the risk of overheating without limiting the use of sunspaces. The modeling of the plant subsystem has confirmed the possibility and the convenience of using heat generators and heating terminals undersized compared to typical calculation procedures, when combined with proper management mode controlled by a building automation system. This choice will increase the percentage of self-consumption covered by the photovoltaic system and the pursuit of NZEB standard, which will be the subject of future studies