ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Allow the optimisation of energy use

Directive 2012/27/EU defines energy efficiency as “a strategic method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase environmental sustainability and primary energy sources, and limit climate change”. Currently, buildings within the European Union are responsible for 40% of consumption and, in Italy, residential buildings mainly use energy from non-renewable sources.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY refers to a range of operations aimed at optimising the factors that influence energy consumption in a building, reducing waste and improving the use of elements such as electricity and gas.

This therefore entails carrying out a series of operations on the building that allow the optimisation of energy use, reducing consumption and negative emissions into the atmosphere, thus promoting the environmental sustainability of our planet.

FOCUS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

What are the factors in a building involved in energy efficiency?

• Thermal insulation: improving thermal insulation in buildings entails reducing heat loss during the winter and the flow of external heat during the summer. This allows for a reduction in the use of heating and ventilation systems, thus favouring energy savings;


• Boilers: substituting an old system with a condensation boiler leads to increased heat production, lower gas consumption and lower CO2 emissions. Compared to traditional boilers, condensation boilers are more ecological as they recycle fumes and water vapour to produce more heat, achieving savings of up to 30%;


• Heat pumps: the energy efficiency of a heat pump goes beyond that of the system itself; the advantage of a heat pump lies in its capacity to generate a quantity of thermal energy that is higher than the amount of electrical energy required to operate. A heat pump combined with a photovoltaic system and a condensation boiler creates a high-energy-efficiency system that can result in savings of up to 50% compared to a traditional system;

• Geothermal systems: geothermal energy is a renewable and clean source that is also suitable for a domestic system, to heat, cool and produce hot water. Efficiency savings are higher than those of other systems, with a reduction of between 30% and 50% compared to a traditional methane, LPG or, to a greater extent, oil systems;


• Photovoltaic panels: : one of the most innovative systems for reducing electricity consumption and increasing the use of renewable sources concerns the employment of photovoltaic panels. Installing photovoltaic panels in a building to autonomously generate part of the energy required allows for a reduction in energy spending, guaranteeing not only economic benefits but also increased environmental sustainability;


• Windows: transparent surfaces are generally responsible for much of heat loss in a building, and even more so when they are made with low-performance glass. Substituting windows with high-thermal performance elements leads to a reduction of up to 40% in heat loss in modern buildings, while for period buildings (with smaller windows) savings are around 20%.

Carrying out energy efficiency works on buildings leads not only to economic savings; thanks to the reduced production of pollutants, it also leads to an increased focus on the environment, an aspect that, in recent years, has become increasingly important, in particular in the wake of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

How are the actions needed to increase the energy efficiency of a building assessed?

Minimum requirements have been set out for the definition of energy-efficiency characteristics of buildings, which can be demonstrated via the relative Energy Performance Certification. An energy performance certificate is a document that, following analysis carried out by a qualified technician, shows the energy consumption of a building and the works required to improve energy efficiency. How is this certificate prepared? A qualified technician carries out an inspection of the property, on the basis of which an energy analysis is made. The elements that are assessed are:

• the characteristics of the walls, doors and windows;
• the geometric characteristics of the environment;
• the hot-water system;
• the cooling and heating system;
• other systems for the production of renewable energy.

BOILER SUBSTITUTION

Why it is a good idea to change the boiler and how to choose the replacement

It is simple; a boiler that is inefficient in terms of energy must always be substituted, as it leads to higher energy costs and above all increased environmental pollution.

A simple and rapid way to verify the efficiency of a boiler is to examine the ErP energy label, which is usually attached to the boiler or in the maintenance logbook, and which consists of a scale of seven colours, ranging from green (class A) to red (class G).

Condensation boilers may not always be particularly energy efficient. After 10 years, it is a good idea to check the efficiency of the system and assess the possibility of a replacement.

3 reasons why nowadays it is a good idea to substitute a boiler

1. Technology
Modern condensation boilers “hold on” the heat contained in exhaust emissions and divert it to the heating system, emitting fumes at a significantly lower temperature than traditional boilers and consequently using less fuel to heat the building. This leads to a better management of resources. For the same running time, and to heat the same space, modern boilers consume less, reducing consumption and waste.

2. Savings
A more efficient system clearly leads to considerable savings in terms of bills. Furthermore, it is possible to access tax deductions for refurbishments (50%) or the “Ecobonus” (65%), which can be recovered through income tax deductions over a period of 10 years.

3. Support
When purchasing a product such as a top-of-the-range high-efficiency boiler, one aspect of quality is customer support. In the case of boiler substitution, this is seen in both the preliminary phase, with an assessment of demands and a choice of the best performing model, and following installation, with regards to after sales, in terms of guarantee and the management of maintenance. This eliminates all worries, ensuring a system that is always efficient and properly functional.

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS

Installing a photovoltaic system: what are the advantages?

These are systems for the supply of clean and renewable energy, and they therefore provide advantages, above all for our planet. Let’s take a look at the advantages of this solution in terms of respect for the environment and our finances.

1. Lower bills
Photovoltaic panels produce electrical power from sunlight. The electrical energy produced by the system can be used immediately or accumulated in dedicated batteries for use during the night. This means that owners of photovoltaic systems will see a clear reduction in electricity costs.

2. Environmental impact
Photovoltaic panels use energy from sunlight, transforming it into clean, free electricity. By using sunlight, and transforming it into electrical power, a photovoltaic system produces no pollution, thus reducing CO2 emissions over time.

3. Minimal wear
Once positioned, photovoltaic panels do not need to be touched again, apart from cleaning the surfaces exposed to sunlight. This means that these systems are subject to very little wear and can last for up to twenty-five years. One component that requires revision or early substitution is the inverter. This device, which is needed to convert solar energy into electricity, needs to be changed after around ten years. During this substitution operation, it is also a good idea to check the cables, which need to be working in order to allow the system to operate at full capacity. However, in both cases, the costs involved are decidedly low.

4. Reduced maintenance costs
As explained above, a photovoltaic system does not require frequent maintenance. The only necessary action is to make sure the panels are kept clean, in order to maximise the production of electrical power.

5. An increase in energy class
Increasing energy efficiency means optimising the characteristics of a building that condition energy consumption. This means that a home fitted with a photovoltaic system is more efficient, thus gaining a higher energy class. This advantage is at its highest when heating and hot water are produced with electricity, i.e., with a heat pump. (See the factors to act on in order to increase the energy efficiency of a building).

6. An increase in the value of the building
A building with a high energy class, i.e., energy independent, is a building with a higher real estate value. The installation of a photovoltaic system can be considered a long-term investment. When selling a home, a higher price can be set.

7. Tax incentives for photovoltaic systems
There are currently (as of April 2023) two incentives for the installation of a photovoltaic system. The “Bonus Casa” (home bonus), which allows for a reduction of 50% on the cost of purchase, and the “Ecobonus”, worth 65%, with both sums recoverable over 10 years through income tax deductions.

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