ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 585
International Conference | Bari - Lecce, Italy
Session VIII
ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS FOR THE ENERGY
RETROFIT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS
Antonio De Vecchi1, Antonino Valenza2, Simona Colajanni1 & Elsa Sanfilippo1
1 Dipartimento di Architettura, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy,
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
2 DICAM, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy, [email protected]
Abstract
Today is widely recognized that the main cause of CO2 production and of non-renewable
energy consumptions in Europe is due to the building field. For this reason, to improve the energy performance of existing houses through an energy retrofit action (adapting their performances to those required by regulations) is an important strategy to reduce energy consumptions since they are much more than new ones, also representing an economic opportunity.
In particular, an important approach in the reducing energy needs consists in the thermal
insulation of the envelope, through the application of innovative technologies and materials.
The paper will present the result of a research about the possibility to carry out different energy retrofit measurements, with different economic implications: it can be possible to evaluate
the effectiveness of strategies proposed by examining a typical house of Palermo and measuring the improvements obtainable through the application of a new eco-friendly panel on
the external walls.
The new panel, made with scraps of pruning of prickly pear crops, has been patented (n.
1402131) by using the cladodes of Opuntia Ficus-Indica, a widespread plant in the Mediterranean Basin, according to the principles of sustainable and eco-friendly development.
The eco-friendly panel has shown thermal performance that can be considered satisfying and
competitive with those of other commercially available panels, helping, at the same time, to
the waste disposal: the nature of the plant makes the material highly recyclable and easily
disposable.
The study has been carried out by comparing the thermal and dynamics improvements obtainable adding different panels on the external walls of the house.
The final output will show the results, by assessing the energy and economic savings after the
retrofit interventions.
Keywords
Cost-benefits analysis, Energy retrofit, Housing, Insulating materials, Sustainable design.
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