Retrofit of Heavy Mass Buildings in Mediterranean Climates : A method for optimizing insula-tion and solar control strategies

In temperate climates, the need to limit both winter heat losses of the buildings and their overheating in other periods is present. The second requirement is particularly relevant in the presence of high internal and solar gains. In these climates, it is not convenient to exceed the insulation thickness. Moreover, in warmer Mediterranean climates the convenience of insulation against the thermal inertia of the building must also be evaluated. Therefore, when the energy renovation of an old building with heavy masonry is performed it is a question of optimizing the position and the thickness of the insulation. If extended glazed surfaces are presents, another question is the choice of a solar control strategy. Both problems are present in many Italian public buildings. This paper presents a computerized methodology for optimizing these choices. The case study consists in a typical school building from the early 1900s. The thermal behavior of the building was simulated in three Italian climates, those of Bologna, Roma and Palermo. The effects on energy demand and comfort of various types of insulation and of various solar control devices were compared. The possible effects of different types of masonry, different orientations and various intended uses were also explored.