Parameters that Describe Energy Efficiency of Buildings. A Comparison of the Information Contained in Italian legislation, in CasaClima Certification, in LEED Assessment Method, and in the ITACA Protocol

The paper explains what is a certificate of energy efficiency of buildings and what is a sustainability certification of buildings. Many certification bodies are recognized in Italy, they promote procedures for evaluating sustainability in construction and for measuring energy efficiency. These procedures are often different from each other and the comparison of differences and similarities is the central topic of this paper. The first part of the paper proposes the analysis of the Italian legislation on energy performance certificates (which is in compliance with European Union guidelines) in comparison with CasaClima certification, with the LEED protocol, and with ITACA protocol. The second part of the paper examines one case study to compare the methods of assessment and to test them in a the practical point of view. The third part of the paper summaries similarities and differences between norms and certifications today applicable in Italy.