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The Italian “Superbonus 110%” economic recovery
program - a golden opportunity for energy-efficienttechnology!
Buildings are the biggest energy consumers of all and account for >40% of global
energy consumption (compared with approx. 30% for industry and 30% fortransport). New Italian legislation aims to boost the economy by providing financial
incentives promoting sustainability and improving energy efficiency, especially inolder residential properties. The COVID-19 economic recovery program will strongly
support a shift towards energy-efficient solutions by allowing for the tax deduction ofup to 110% of the costs incurred over several years.
The Governmental Relaunch Decree (“Decreto Rilancio” n.34/2020 dated 19th May
2020 and valid until 31st December 2021) aims to strengthen the Italian economy by
implementing a broad range of fiscal measures. Italy is one of the European nations
hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis, with an economy already in a state of recession
when the spread of the viral infection sent the nation into the most rigid lockdown
situation in Europe.
In order to save the economy from further decline, measures have been implemented
which primarily aim to safeguard employment. One of the key areas which must be
protected from further decline is civil engineering. At the same time, the European
Green Deal devised (and heavily funded) by the European Commission aims to make
Europe the first climate-neutral, resource-efficient continent by 2050. This isexpected to bring significant opportunities for economic growth together withtechnological advancement in many key areas. One of them is real estate.
Italy is rich in historic cities with relatively old buildings. Of Italy’s 12.2 millionbuildings and more than 31 million dwellings, 15% were built before 1918 and afurther 65% were built before the first energy-saving laws were passed in 1976.
Meaning that there is great potential for saving energy through modernization,
especially in Southern Italy where mild weather means that many buildings aredevoid of double glazing or efficient insulation.
In Italy, central heating for apartment buildings is the exception rather than the rule.
Most dwellings have their own boiler-based heating and hot-water supply, mainly
gas-fired. In Southern Italy, stand-alone gas-fired water heaters (usually in thebathroom) are frequently the only source of heating, supplying hot water to simple
radiators.
The D.P.R. Law n.412 dated 26th August 1993 subdivides Italy into 6 climate zones.
For each climate zone, dates are defined for the start and finish of the “heatingseason”, together with the number of heating hours allowed per day. For example,
Rome is in Zone D where heating is permitted from 1st November to 15th April for up
to 12 hours/day (at a maximum of 22°C). These heating hours can be split into twoor three blocks throughout the day, from 05:00 to 23:00. In the case of harshweather conditions, local authorities may authorize temporary exceptions. Breach ofthese regulations, applicable to central heating and individual boiler-based systems
alike, is punishable by law. All in all, a complex and highly regulated subject.
Let’s now examine the Smart Home/building-automation-relevant legislation in moredetail.

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Italian Law n.208/2015 already included an “Ecobonus” and makes provisions for thefiscal detraction (65% over several years) of expenses incurred when systems
remotely monitoring/controlling heating, air conditioning and hot watersupply - using mobile devices - are installed within a property.
These expenses cover the purchase of devices installed within the property (e.g.
thermostats, sensors) but not the cost of procuring mobile devices such as
smartphones/tablets/computers. The cost of installation works (e.g. masonry,redecoration) and professional services (technicians, documentation) is covered.
The new “Relaunch Decree” legislation is effective as of July 2020 and valid until
the end of 2021 (although the Italian Government is now considering extending its
validity until the end of 2024). It adds attractiveness and extends fiscal detraction to110% when building automation systems are installed in conjunction with other,more extensive works aiming to reduce energy consumption within the samebuilding.
These extensive works are defined as “towing works” and the minor (e.g. building
automation installation) works are labeled “towed works”. Such “towing works” mayinclude:-replacement of windows, installation of modernized thermal insulation, newroofing, etc.
installation of heat-pump systems, condensing boilers, solar energy systems
with power grid connection
installation of E-mobility charging points
measures to improve the building’s resistance to seismic activity

The “towed works” are to feature:-

remote control of heating/airconditioning and hot water systems
remote monitoring of ambient conditions, e.g. temperature/humidity
remote monitoring of energy consumption with the supervision ofconsumption data by ENEA, the public body governing energy supply

All in all, the work carried out must lead to an improvement of at least 2
energy categories. Basically, any measures which contribute towards
reducing energy consumption can be interpreted as falling under the generalscope of the “Relaunch Decree”. In principle, private individuals, as well as
any entity entitled to claim tax credits, are eligible for fiscal benefits.
The implementation of the benefits foreseen by the “110% Superbonus” initiative
must be approved case by case by ENEA. Interested parties must file the appropriate
request and supply full documentation - including a detailed technical evaluation of
the property’s thermal efficiency rating before and after the work is carried out - inorder to gain entitlement to preferential tax treatment.
As an extra incentive, the new regulations allow for flexible payment of theinstallation costs. The homeowner may opt to offset the costs against personal
income tax in yearly installments. Or choose to get a 100% discount on the invoiced
cost, for which the invoicing company can claim 110% against their own tax burden
over several years. Various fiscal options are available to encourage spending inenhancing energy efficiency.

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Basically, modernizing a building’s outer shell, its airconditioning and heating system,
the hot water supply system or its roof and glazing to improve their thermic efficiency
is a comparatively slow, expensive undertaking with long return-on-investment
times. It should also be borne in mind that such work is intrinsically energy-intensive.
Retrofitting building automation systems, on the other hand, is an often-overlooked
low-cost way to improve comfort and save money at the same time - from “Day 1”.
A reduction of up to 40% in the energy consumption of older buildings can be attainedwith relatively low investment costs, fast return-on-investment and without
disruption - there is no need to vacate the premises whilst installation takes place,or to redecorate them afterward.
The older Italian “Ecobonus 65%” and the new “Superbonus 110%” legislation takean important step forwards towards energy efficiency of the smarter kind. A few
examples of what can be done today to reduce energy consumption (whilst adding
comfort and convenience at the same time):-Shading can be automatically controlled by solar sensors to compensate forambient warming caused by sunlight, reducing the need for air conditioning;
The opening and closing of doors and windows can be monitored throughmagnetic contacts/smart handles, governing the heating or airconditioning
accordingly and saving energy;
Occupancy sensors can detect empty rooms and turn off lights, heating andairconditioning accordingly (as well as performing alarm functions);
Temperature/humidity and solar sensors, smart thermostats and intelligent
radiator valves optimize climate comfort whilst greatly reducing energy
consumption.

In more detail: an excellent example of high technology that can be retrofitted inminutes and makes a big difference to energy consumption is the energyharvesting wireless thermostat valve that powers itself (by exploiting
temperature differences between heating appliance and ambient air) andcommunicates wirelessly with solar sensors and smart thermostats in order to finetune heating to changing conditions, room by room. The zero-maintenance smart
thermostat can communicate with a smartphone app via a room controller/gateway,enabling the remote management of individual environments. An additional benefit:
frost protection for seldom-used spaces is easily implemented, avoiding the risk ofcostly repairs due to burst water pipes in freezing weather. Installation can take placequickly, without laying cables and damaging walls or having to vacate the premises
whilst repair/redecorating takes place. Smart!
All this, and much more, is made possible by modern sensor technology - in a
residential context but also in schools, clinics, care homes, offices and other spacesthat are subject to heavy power consumption and fluctuating occupancy. Simplesystems can be installed step-by-step, starting with basic applications which can belater developed into more complex, sophisticated solutions. Some examples:--To counter the COVID-19 pandemic, CO2 sensors (complemented by VOC
detectors to sense other environmental pollutants) can control access and trigger
automatic ventilation of contaminated spaces, improving air quality andsafeguarding health - especially in schools, universities and healthcare facilities.
Sensors can “learn” occupancy patterns and monitor living spaces in assisted
living situations.
Even the local weather conditions and forecasts can be taken into account, e.g.
to deploy or retract sunblinds taking current and forecasted wind conditions intoaccount.

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When these sensors are wireless, self-powered and maintenance-free, they can be
retrofitted easily and economically, in a matter of minutes and without the need tolay cables (i.e. no noise, no dirt, no redecoration, no disruption and no downtime).
There is no need to monitor, stock and replace batteries with the ensuing disposal
issues. Nothing is environmentally friendlier and makes better financial sense thanself-powered devices that require no maintenance whatsoever - over decades.
Interoperable EnOcean wireless technology enables the quick and simple, “peel andsticks” installation of state-of-the-art sensors, switches and other devices that arepowered by light, movement or temperature differences. The open EnOcean wirelessstandard guarantees interoperability between all kinds of devices from many different
suppliers.
The EnOcean Alliance is a non-profit organization founded in 2008 with the aim ofestablishing and maintaining an open industry standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3-10/11).
It enables and promotes wireless energy-harvesting ultra-low-power sensor
technology worldwide and today acts as a network and marketing platform for some
400 companies which participate as Members active in 37 nations. These suppliers
currently offer 5.000+ products that freely communicate amongst themselves (evenusing existing Wi-Fi networks) and with all major building automation systems andgateways (e.g. BACnet, KNX) including internet/Cloud-based solutions.
Over the past 18 years, 20 million EnOcean-based products have been installed in
more than 1 million buildings. These range from individual residential properties tohigh-rise condominiums, from office buildings to warehouses, from industrial facilities
to historical buildings, from shopping malls to hotels, from shops to nursing homes,
from hospitals to airports, from museums to exhibition centers, from public buildings
to sports venues - virtually any space can benefit from intelligent management of its
energy consumers.
If you want to carry out the works described above and to qualify for the ecobonus, please looks for the appropriate sensor solution or manufacturers listed on
our website: https://www.enocean-alliance.org/products/

Sources:
https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/static/20200519_128_SO_021.pdf
https://www.lavoripubblici.it/news/2020/10/FINANZA-E-FISCO/24354/Superbonus110-e-Agevolazioni-fiscali-in-edilizia-la-tabella-di-sintesi-degli-interventi-condetrazione-tetti-di-spesa-e-numero-anni-di-ripartizione/2
https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it/portale/documents/20143/233439/Guida_Super
bonus110.pdf/49b34dd3-429e-6891-4af4-c0f0b9f2be69
https://www.minebeamitsumi.eu/fileadmin/minebeamitsumi.net/Landingpages/02_
SmartValve/Smart_Valve_A5_en_2019.pdf
http://www.micropelt.com/fileadmin/user_upload/MIC-021_iRTV-004_DE.pdf