Built Cultural Heritage and Energy Efficiency. the Sicily Case: Pros and Cons of an Innovative Experience

The paper aims to present a study carried out within the Regional Operational Program - European Regional Development Fund 2014/2020 financing project for the efficiency improvement of 106 public heritage, owned by the Sicily Region. 38 case studies of this stock have been selected, having different uses (museum, library, office, etc.), typology and construction period, shifting from XI to XX century buildings. The sample heterogeneity gives in fact a large-scale overview on the Mediterranean heritage, allowing to assess the efficacy of energy policies (at Regional level) and to suggest feasible retrofit solutions for historic public buildings. Weak and strength points of each case are highlighted as from both an energy audit (based on bills and simulated energy performance data) and an on-field survey in a comparison. The inclusion of stakeholders' interviews in the walk-through investigation has clarified the efficacy of building and plants management. Finally, as tangible results, it is suggested to consider retrofit low-impact interventions accordingly to the building microclimate, as well as objects and users' needs, as a win-win strategy.