nZEB towards a nearly future. Critical issues and strengths of technological development

This work analyzes the results of a monitoring campaign on seventeen nZEBs which was promoted by the Piedmont Region. The analysis of these buildings, distributed throughout the Piedmont territory, has allowed the verification of energy performances of the nZEBs, as well as the requirements of space heating and domestic hot water systems and the efficiencies of technologies that boost renewable energy sources. This analysis highlighted the advantages and criticalities of these buildings in terms of energy consumption, outlining a starting scenario for future incentive campaigns and new energy transition strategies. Not always the most used technologies for the building envelope or for the systems are the optimal choices; designers should choose the systems that works better for a certain building envelope taking into account how the building will be used, the winter and summer climatic conditions but also the solar exposure and the availability of other renewable energy sources.