WTI Magazine #48    2014 November, 26
Author : Living Adamis      Translation by:

The company based in Trieste, with its Division called "Harpo verdepensile", adheres to the task force of professionals working for the energy (and environmental) requalification of residential complexes in Milan. Energy saving? Put green on the roof. A journey in Milan condominiums, area by area, to help them save energy while increasing their aesthetic and commercial value.

It is the "habitami" project, an initiative promoted among others by Legambiente, under the auspices of the City of Milan, who has put together a network of companies and professionals active in the field of energy upgrading with the aim to provide answers and solutions to less "virtuous" condominiums in terms of consumption. A benefit for the money and for the environment.

Harpo Group immediately joined the initiative with its "Harpo verdepensile" Division. A vegetable garden or even just green on the roof can save up to 30% of energy, not to mention the gain in terms of aesthetics. Green roofs are energy smart: this has been confirmed by a recent decision of the Italian Ministry of Environment which provides tax relief of up to 65% for those who choose a green roof, equating it to any other energy redevelopment.

"Green roofs have many advantages, especially in cities - explains Maurizio Crasso, Director of the "Harpo verdepensile" Division. In addition to increasing the value of the property, they are an optimal solution to save energy and are good for the environment.

All this at a cheap cost, if we think that a square meter of green garden with small plants can cost between 100 and 120 Euros. Habitami is a tremendous opportunity and a meritorious initiative, even because in a few months Milan will host Expo 2015, all dedicated to the environment theme. In this context, the vegetable gardens become even more valuable because they contribute to the protection of biodiversity being true micro-habitats".

But why choose a green roof? Here is a summary of the benefits for a condo:

- Cool in summer, warm in winter: The green roof is ideal to maintain pleasant temperatures in all seasons. Summer temperatures favor the spontaneous recovery of heat through the roof from early morning to late at night keeping the rooms pleasantly cool. In winter it is warm because green increases the thermal resistance of the roof by about 10% helping to retain heat.

- Energy savings: Energy savings of up to 30%.

- The roof lasts longer: Contrary to popular belief, a beautiful terrace garden stays sealed for a longer time, because the waterproof layer is protected from the daily temperature changing, frost, UV rays and mechanic damage.

- Beautiful and possible: The costs of green roofs are low compared to the benefits.About 70 euro per square meter for just a green lawn, between 100 and 120 euro per square meter for green grass and small plants, about 200 euro per square meter for green grass and shrubs. The average expenditure for a condo is around 30 thousand euro and with the tax deductions you can halve the cost.

Here, the benefits for the environment:
- Improvement of the microclimate: Reducing emissions of carbon dioxide.

- Preventing floods: Water retention that can touch the peaks of 70-90% and thus lightening the load on the network of water sewage, making viable the way of reuse of rainwater for irrigation, prior recovery and filtration.

- Filtering of the powder (10-20% less) and fixing of nutrient substances from air and rain.

- Noise protection through lower reflection and soundproofing of the summit surfaces.

- Positive Influence on the indoor climate.