The residential quarter, where the demonstration project is located, was built in the 1970’s and was originally constructed with the use of that time’s innovative technologies and materials. But the present standards display the inefficient conditions of yesterday and hence the buildings require refurbishment.

The project comprises the retrofit of 72 apartments in three buildings from 1980 in Brescia’s “S. Polo” quarter, which has grown up to 5,000 apartments. The main economical and technical problems are related to the domestic hot water production. The retrofit program involves low-energy technologies, such as new local storage and heat exchangers in each apartment, which reduce the energy consumption for domestic hot water by 75%. Most of these buildings need a refurbishment, and the involved local and regional authorities want to demonstrate how significant energy savings are possible with simple changes in building practice. Besides energy savings the project also aims at improving winter thermal comfort and avoid summer overheating.

The demonstration project in Brescia has taken advantage of several low energy technologies. Existing loggias on the south facade have been equipped with external windows frames with a “fan” opening which enables use during winter as sun-space and improves thermal comfort. Improved insulation was also an important part of the project. New low-energy windows with special insulating external frame were installed, which eliminated the thermal bridges and facilitated the junction between wall cladding and windows. Still, the integrated heating system for hot water and the energy management system are the two most salient features of the project:

• Domestic hot water production with combined solar and district heating
• Energy management and monitoring system