The process of integrated energy and environmental audit on historic buildings

The analysis of energetic and environmental behavior of historic buildings is a complex issue, which requires the consideration of various disciplines, from restoration to energy. It also entails an integrated method of diagnosis, simulations and use of specific instruments (E. Lucchi, 2010). For this type of application, it’s necessary to understand that all the analyses are applied for the improvement and not for the adaptation to standards. Improvement means the use of a suitable device according to an appropriate architectural and environmental integration; adaptation however, means the complete alteration of the building to adapt it to legislation and necessities. (L. De Santoli, 2014). The research proposes an integrated method to identify inefficiencies and to define the most appropriate retrofit measures for diagnosis and energetic simulations of the historic buildings, also considering the environmental aspects and the sustainability of buildings. This method covers everything from the historic analyses to the energy audit, which includes the examination of real uses and internal necessities as well as the environmental monitoring. At the same time it strives to balance the energy and environmental improvement required and the conservation of cultural heritage (E. Lucchi, 2016).