How We Made Our Old Farmhouse in Piemonte Comfortable Year-Round
Where history meets modern comfort
Living in a historic farmhouse in Piemonte sounds dreamy, but it comes with challenges—especially in winter and the hottest moments in summer. Cold weather can be tough in a house that was built centuries ago, and without the right changes, you’ll feel it. In this blog, I’ll share how we made our house more comfortable while keeping its charm and character intact.
As a structural engineer with experience in restoration and making historic homes more energy-efficient, I’ll share tips and lessons from our journey that might help with your own renovation.
Are old homes really less comfortable, or do we just approach them the wrong way? Let’s explore this together in the next six sections.
“Preserving authenticity while modernizing a home is an art in itself – and exactly what we’re working on.”
1. Timeless solutions from the past for modern comfort
Before modern technology, people found clever ways to make homes comfortable. These are some ideas that still work today:
Thick curtains: To block the cold.
Woolen rugs: We have one in every room at the moment and they’re true life savers in winter.
Shutters: They keep out the sun in summer and the cold in winter.
Shade trees: Provide coolness in summer and allow sunlight in winter.
Smaller rooms: Easier to keep warm or cool than large, open spaces.
South-facing rooms: Main living spaces were often built facing south for warmth, while cooler rooms like storage were placed on the north side.
Today, we often prefer big windows and open layouts. Beautiful, yes—but not always practical in older homes.
2. The unique challenges of renovating old homes
Historic homes have charm, but they also have unique challenges:
Thick walls: They keep the house cool in summer until the moment the heat is in and once they get cold in winter, they stay cold.
Drafty roofs and windows: Our house had single-pane windows and an uninsulated roof, making it drafty.
Heat loss: Studies show heat escapes in these ways:
Windows: 30%
Roof: 30%
Walls: 25%
Floor: 5%
Drafts and ventilation: 10%
In our home, the uninsulated roof, cold walls, and outdated windows caused the most discomfort. Plastic paneling and cement-based plaster on the walls made things worse by trapping moisture. When buying an old house, look carefully at the condition of the walls—replastering can be expensive.
Tip Did you know that humid air doesn’t heat efficiently? That’s why it’s important to ventilate your home daily, even during colder months. Avoid keeping everything tightly closed in an effort to trap heat—it’s counterproductive and can lead to moisture buildup.
“In the past, simplicity was the key to comfort: shutters, curtains, and smart orientation worked wonders.”
3. Our solutions: Finding the balance
Heating
We chose a mix of heating solutions:
Wood-burning stoves: A sustainable option for us since we have access to wood. Our Jøtul stove, which cost €2,500 including installation, retains heat overnight, making it easy to restart in the morning. Other stoves cool down more quickly. However, don’t underestimate the effort required to maintain a steady supply of wood if you’re sourcing and chopping it yourself—it’s a commitment that requires time and energy.
Air conditioning units: These provide heating and cooling, and with WiFi and programmable settings, we can warm the house before we get home. The total cost for our air conditioning system in part 1 was around €3,200 (3 airco’s). Downsides include noise and visibility, but a good installation plan can solve this.
Heat pump: Not suitable for us due to high electricity usage during frost and the high investment. A heat pump would be ideal with floor heating but we believe a low temperature heating system would’’t work out in our situation.
Air Conditioning Notes:
Air conditioning requires careful planning. Make sure to account for:
Coolant pipes connecting indoor and outdoor units.
Power cables supplying electricity to the system.
Condensate drains to remove water buildup.
“Did you know that windows and roofs are responsible for 60% of heat loss in an old house?”
Insulation
New windows: We installed double-glazed wooden windows with an authentic look. Cost: €1.400 per window.
Attic insulation: Instead of insulating the roof, we insulated the attic floor to keep unused spaces out of the heating zone. Cost: €38 - 52 per square meter without installation.
Interior wall insulation: We added insulation only where it wouldn’t affect architectural details. External insulation is often ideal but can change the appearance of the building significantly.
Ventilation and Moisture Control
Moisture is a common issue in Piemonte. Here’s what we did:
Drainage: To keep water away from the foundation.
Mechanical ventilation: Ensures air circulation and prevents condensation or wood rot. Insulation without proper ventilation can create new problems.
4. What we’d do differently now
Air Conditioning
Challenges: Noise during heating and visible units.
What we’d change: A built-in system (like a ducted air conditioner). This would require more planning and a higher budget but would improve aesthetics and functionality.
Pro Tip: Discuss unit placement and drainage routes early in the design process.
Wood Stoves
Premium choice: Our Jøtul stove performs better than cheaper models, staying warm longer and being easier to use.
What we’d change: Invest in high-quality stoves for spaces you use most.
Tip: Use ChatGPT to create a comparison between heating options, such as heat pumps, air conditioners, and gas, to find the best fit for your situation.
More helpful prompt tips can be found at the bottom of this page!
Maximize the potential of your Italian renovation
At Studio Sernella, we believe a renovation is more than just a project—it’s an opportunity to create a space that truly feels right. Need guidance in planning, designing, or bringing your ideas to life?
Book a brainstorming session to kick-start your journey toward a home that radiates peace and beauty.
Renovation coaching: we’ll guide you through every phase, from concept to completion. Now a new option: join our community with a weekly Q&A for all your questions.
Hire us for maintenance or for solutions that bring your interior to life.
Curious about how we can help you?
Go to our contact page to reach out by our contact form and discuss your ideas and next steps or click the button below.
5. Smart renovation insights and resources
Renovating in Italy comes with unique opportunities and challenges. From understanding subsidies to knowing the right terms to communicate with local craftsmen, these insights will help you navigate your project with confidence.
Renovation subsidies in Italy (2025)
Subsidies for home renovations in Italy are still available but less generous than before. For non-residents, the benefits are limited.
Superbonus (65%): Reduced from 110% to 65%, spread over 10 years as a tax credit—only useful if you pay taxes in Italy.
Ecobonus: Covers upgrades like solar panels and heat pumps.
VAT Reduction: Some upgrades, like new windows, qualify for a reduced VAT rate of 10% instead of 22%.
Tip: Consult a fiscal advisor or geometra for personalized advice.
Solar Panels: Are they worth it?
Solar panels can be a great investment, but consider:
Payback period: Longer for a vacation home unless rented out.
Battery systems: Still costly and not needed unless you’re off-grid.
Costs: For a home that relies heavily on electricity like ours (cooking, cooling, heating, and hot water), you can expect to pay approximately €14,800 for 24 solar panels (460 Wp each, totaling 11 kWp) and €12,000 for a 21 kWh battery storage system.
Useful Italian terms for renovations
When renovating in Italy, these terms will help you communicate effectively:
Il mattone: Brick
Una trave di legno: Wooden beam
Le persiane: Shutters
La bombola: Gas tank
Contropareti: Interior wall insulation
Fotovoltaico: Solar panels
Pompa di calore: Heat pump
Tip: When in doubt, a quick sketch or photo can go a long way in clarifying your ideas. And don’t forget, a friendly smile or grazie mille works wonders!
“Smart gadgets, like WiFi-controlled air conditioning, make life just a little easier.”
6. Achieve your Italian renovation with confidence
Are you renovating or purchasing a holiday home and unsure where to start? We offer brainstorming sessions to review your plans, explore potential solutions, and share practical tips to make your project a success. For just €445, you can book a half day brainstorm session (with the two of us) tailored to your specific needs and benefit from our expertise.
Not ready for a session right now? Start with these 4 smart prompts to use ChatGPT for your renovation planning:
"What are the most effective ways to make a [type of house, e.g., 19th-century stone farmhouse] in [location, e.g., Italy] comfortable during winter, while preserving its [specific features, e.g., historical charm] and maximizing [goal, e.g., energy efficiency]?"
"Design an integrated renovation plan for a [size, e.g., 200m²] [type of property, e.g., holiday home] in [region, e.g., Piemonte], considering [key elements, e.g., roof insulation, underfloor heating, and natural ventilation strategies]."
"Compare heating options for a [type of property, e.g., vacation home] in [climate, e.g., Piemonte with mild winters], factoring in [criteria, e.g., installation costs, maintenance, and suitability for occasional use]."
"Analyze the pros and cons of [system 1, e.g., air-conditioning units] versus [system 2, e.g., a heat pump] in a [type of house, e.g., 150-year-old farmhouse] with [specific features, e.g., thick stone walls and limited roof insulation]."
Interested in learning more or booking a session? Get in touch with us via WhatsApp and send us a message. Let’s make your renovation plan practical, achievable, and tailored to your vision.
