Energy and cost evaluation of thermal bridge correction in mediterranean climate

In the cold climate of continental Europe the correction of thermal bridges in buildings is a mandatoryissue, as in these areas they produce not only heat losses but frequently also condensation and mouldgrowth.In mild Mediterranean climate thermal bridges also cause an increase in energy consumption, butusually do not present condensation effects. In Italy, the current regulations for new buildings onlyrecommend but do not impose the thermal bridge correction, which usually needs extra costs duringconstruction and refurbishment phases.This paper presents a study on the effects of thermal bridges for two building types (terraced housesand semi-detached houses) and three current envelope solutions in Italian climate, which may be consideredrepresentative of mild Mediterranean climate. The buildings are characterised by reinforcedconcrete frameworks and clay block walls; the thermal performance of the envelopes complies with Italianregulations for new constructions. In a first step the impact of thermal bridges on both heating andcooling energy demand is studied; then the economic convenience of correcting such thermal bridgesis assessed by calculating the discounted payback period referred to the additional costs of constructionand refurbishment.