Andrea Aquino

Abstract

This study analyzes the energy performance of hundreds of Italian office buildings using data from mandatory energy audits submitted by large banking and insurance companies. The database comprises 260 buildings and 512 retrofitting measures, reporting the most common strategies for reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Installing new heat generators presents the highest energy and emissions savings—up to 30%— but also high upfront costs and long payback times. Retrofitting the lighting system with LED is the most frequent intervention due to its low initial costs and fast returns, typically under five years. The cost-benefit analyses show that the energy-saving potential of the retrofitting interventions increases with building energy intensity and size: retrofitting the most inefficient buildings maximizes returns, but it requires multiple interventions and the support of public incentives, such as the Conto Termico and White Certificates, to improve the financial viability and reduce unit costs. Our analysis offers actionable guidance for policymakers and stakeholders to design effective retrofit strategies and incentive programs and accelerate progress toward national and European climate goals.

Keywords: Energy Efficiency, Office Buildings, buildings, Building
Retrofitting, Sustainability, Energy Audit, Impact Analysis