What is the best heating for an old building?

The charm of houses that have a history behind them is undisputed. Even in Varese and its province it is not uncommon to come across fascinating properties that tell of other eras or periods. When it is time to buy a house, and you choose a property that is not of recent construction, during the renovation process you will ask yourself the fateful question: what is the best heating for an old building?

To answer, several elements must be considered: the characteristics of the property, its location, renovation possibilities and objectives, but also current laws on energy efficiency and any existing bonuses or tax benefits.

The energy upgrading of an old building has a name: retrofitting. That is, the addition of new functions or technologies to an old system to improve its performance and extend its life. Exactly what can happen when you put your hands on an old building.

When structurally upgrading an old building, there are many possibilities. Here are some of the most frequently used and cost-effective solutions.

• condensing boiler. Compared to a traditional boiler, the energy saving is significant (up to 35%) It requires no structural work and can be adapted to existing solutions such as traditional radiators.

• heat pump. This type of system exploits the principles of the thermodynamic cycle by using part of the thermal energy present in the air, ground and groundwater. With a single system it is possible to heat in winter, cool in summer and produce domestic hot water. A perfect solution also for those who are planning to equip their homes with underfloor heating. Advantages include lower running costs and an increase in the monetary value of the property. Disadvantages include a high initial cost and the need for major structural work.

• Photovoltaic system. The photovoltaic system makes use of an inexhaustible and free energy source: the sun. It is a solution that can also be considered for properties in the province of Varese, provided that the roof is well oriented to the south and solar radiation is optimal. This allows considerable savings on the bill, accentuated by the possible presence of a storage system that allows the energy produced during the day to be stored and exploited during solar hours. A photovoltaic system costs less than a heat pump, but still requires a significant initial investment.

• wood or pellet heating. In some cases, it may be interesting to consider heating systems that use wood as fuel in any form. The cost of installation is not prohibitive but requires certain specifications of the room in which the boiler is installed. There is also a disadvantage in terms of practicality: the boiler must be fuelled several times a day, although a pellet heating system at least has the possibility of setting an automatic ignition.

New-generation, energy-efficient heating systems now enjoy various bonuses. If the 110% superbonus is now expiring, the Ecobonus 65% and the Bonus casa 50% remain active, which include, among other interventions, the replacement of the old boiler with a heat pump, the installation of a photovoltaic system, the implementation of a thermal insulation or the replacement of window frames.

Improving the energy efficiency of a property does not only mean changing or supplementing the heating system, but also making an accurate assessment to identify and correct critical points. When buying or selling a house, among the necessary documents is the energy performance certificate (APE) of the property in question. This is a document that certifies the property's energy efficiency. That is, how much that building consumes, indicated in 10 energy classes, ranging from the least efficient (G) to the most efficient (A), which in turn is divided into 4 subclasses (A4, A3, A2, A1).

Energy efficiency measures include a high-efficiency heating system, a state-of-the-art thermal insulation coat at least 10 centimetres thick, roof insulation, refurbishment of fixtures or replacement of windows, high-level plant engineering, but also the installation of home automation technologies such as thermostats or smart lighting.

These are all works that reduce a property's energy consumption. A saving that is not only economic but also ecological (because it protects the environment) and ensures greater comfort. Finally, there is a further element to consider. Energy renovation increases the value of the property.