Assessing the relationship between smart readiness and energy performance in Italian residential buildings

The Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) provides a standardized framework for assessing the capability of buildings to integrate digital and automated functions that enhance energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and interaction with energy grids. Although the SRI scheme primarily focuses on non-residential buildings, its application can also be valuable in the residential sector, where the adoption of smart technologies and automation systems remains heterogeneous and often limited. Under the recent recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV), understanding the SRI's relationship with established performance metrics is increasingly important. This study aims to examine the quantitative relationship between the SRI and the energy performance of a sample of residential buildings in Italy. To this end, a statistical analysis is conducted to explore potential correlations between the SRI, along with its sub-scores (i.e., impact, domain, and aggregated scores), energy performance indicators (e.g., energy performance certificate and/or energy consumption), and building characteristics. The findings provide valuable insights for practitioners, designers, and policymakers involved in EU energy transition.