Abstract: | ![]() The computer program FREDOCAN allows one to assess the impact of energy conservation policies on the household sector due to thermal insulation measures and to various options concerning domestic heating plants. the insulation policy must be specified, giving in input to the program the housing stock and the fraction of dwellings to be insulated as a function of time. the different insulation measures are evaluated both separately and in a combined way. the evaluations are performed both from financial and energy analysis point of view, determining the internal rates of return of the investments, financial and energy pay-back times under static and dynamic conditions. The space heat savings evaluated in the first part of the program allow one to calculate, in the second part, additional savings due to the reduction of the investments required for the heating plants. It is also possible to assess the variation with time of the heating plant mix, taking into account of improved efficiencies and different energy sources. A test case for the North of Italy is described. It shows that a very simple insulation of both existing and new houses limits the growth of energy demand to only 18 per cent above the 1977 consumption levels, although the combined effects of new constructions and of an extensive upgrading of heating systems would require a 75 per cent energy demand increase. |