Simulating Building Thermal Behaviour: The Case Study of the School of the State Forestry Corp☆

Abstract The building thermal performance plays a fundamental role in reducing the national energy consumption, especially considering that the majority of the existing structures were built before energy efficiency was a concern at all. The paper presents the case study of the School of the State Forestry Corp in Sabaudia (Italy). The aim is to simulate the thermal behaviour both in stationary and dynamic conditions, and to identify the most appropriate action to improve the building energy efficiency, ensuring occupants’ thermal comfort during the year. The results clearly show that considerable thicknesses of insulating material do not represent an advisable retrofitting in summer.