EVALUATION ON THE CONVENIENCE OF A CITIZEN SERVICE DISTRICT HEATING FOR RESIDENTIAL USE. A NEW SCENARIO INTRODUCED BY HIGH EFFICIENCY ENERGY SYSTEMS

The target of the study is to assess, in the light of today's energy production technologies with high efficiency, the actual energetic advantage, in terms of environmental and economic sustainability, of traditional district heating systems for residential use. It was examined a real case study consisting of a residential complex in Milan served by the district heating system of the city. The study was conducted by comparing costs for heating and hot water supplied by district heating with those of alternative potential systems for energy production present on the market today. Two proposals for the replacement of the district heating system with high efficiency heat generators or with heat pumps were evaluated. Therefore, was carried out an evaluation of technical and economic feasibility with particular reference to the payback period, considering interruption of district heating services currently ongoing.