Energy conservation in 29 historic school buildings in Palermo

SYNOPSIS In the rehabilitation programme of 29 old school buildings in Palermo energy conservation measures were included. By means of simulation models, several options were examined, ranging from solar active systems to properly designed heating systems. The study showed, because of the characteristics of the buildings, their occupation pattern and the mild climate, that the most cost-effective option was a properly controlled heating system. Italian energy conservation building regulations were shown to be scarcely suitable to the cases examined, and a certain resistance to technological innovation was found in some designers, especially the older ones.