Efficiency Analysis of Independent and Centralized Heating Systems for Residential Buildings in Northern Italy

Matteo Zago, Andrea Casalegno, Renzo Marchesi and Fabio Rinaldi
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Matteo Zago: Politecnico di Milano, Department of Energy, Via Lambruschini 4, Milano 20156, Italy
Andrea Casalegno: Politecnico di Milano, Department of Energy, Via Lambruschini 4, Milano 20156, Italy
Renzo Marchesi: Politecnico di Milano, Department of Energy, Via Lambruschini 4, Milano 20156, Italy
Fabio Rinaldi: Politecnico di Milano, Department of Energy, Via Lambruschini 4, Milano 20156, Italy

Energies, 2011, vol. 4, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: The primary energy consumption in residential buildings is determined by the envelope thermal characteristics, air change, outside climatic data, users’ behaviour and the adopted heating system and its control. The new Italian regulations strongly suggest the installation of centralized boilers in renovated buildings with more than four apartments. This work aims to investigate the differences in primary energy consumption and efficiency among several independent and centralized heating systems installed in Northern Italy. The analysis is carried out through the following approach: firstly building heating loads are evaluated using the software TRNSYS ® and, then, heating system performances are estimated through a simplified model based on the European Standard EN 15316. Several heating systems have been analyzed, evaluating: independent and centralized configurations, condensing and traditional boilers, radiator and radiant floor emitters and solar plant integration. The heating systems are applied to four buildings dating back to 2010, 2006, 1960s and 1930s. All the combinations of heating systems and buildings are analyzed in detail, evaluating efficiency and primary energy consumption. In most of the cases the choice between centralized and independent heating systems has minor effects on primary energy consumption, less than 3%: the introduction of condensing technology and the integration with solar heating plant can reduce energy consumption by 11% and 29%, respectively.

Keywords: efficiency; primary energy; heating system; residential building; model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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