Turning on heating: the calendar throughout Italy

The ordinance of the Municipality of Milan on permitted temperatures and switch-on times of the systems it is not the only one in Italy. THE’early switching on of the heating it was requested by many and authorized by many municipalities given the cold of these days, in many areas, particularly in the North, cold earlier than in previous years, but in line with seasonal averages.

The heating on and off dates are pre-set and established based on the climate zone in which you are located. There are rules for the maximum daily hours of use and the temperature allowed, with the possibility of exceptions in particular cases. Italy is divided into 6 climate zones based on the average daily temperatures. For these different zones the lighting period varies. In 2022 the start was postponed, with the aim of saving energy (the operating period was reduced by 15 days as the maximum temperature below one degree) and the number of hours per day. This year it is brought forward.

This is the division of the areas:

A – municipalities with degree days lower than 600 (for example Lampedusa and Linosa): for 6 hours a day from 1 December to 15 March
B – municipalities with degree days between 600 and 900 (Palermo and Reggio Calabria): for 8 hours a day from 1 December to 31 March
C – municipalities with degree days between 901 and 1400 (Naples and Cagliari): for 10 hours a day from 15 November to 31 March
D – municipalities with degree days between 1401 and 2100 (Rome and Florence): for 12 hours daily from 1 November to 15 April
E – municipalities with degree days between 2101 and 3000 (Milan, Turin, Bologna and Venice): for 14 hours a day from 15 October to 15 April
F – municipalities with degree days above 3000 (for example Courmayeur and Abetone): no limitation

We are talking about systems intended for the services of air conditioning winter of environments with or without domestic hot water production, regardless of the system used to transport energy and heat.

There is the possibility of turning on the heating systems even in the absence of a union order before the scheduled dates if there is a temperature below the seasonal averages for a total duration not exceeding half of that allowed ordinarily.

Hospitals, clinics or nursing homes and similar have exemptions such as swimming pools and saunas. The same applies to buildings used for craft activities if they require temperatures different from the values ​​for technological or production needs.

The decree for 2024, Presidential Decree 74 of 16 April 2013says that the maximum temperature to be set in your heating system, unless exceptions are established locally, is 18°C ​​(+2°C maximum tolerance) for all buildings dedicated to industrial or artisanal activities; 20°C (+2°C maximum tolerance) for all other buildings, including domestic environments.

In Milan, according to the latest ordinance, the maximum temperature allowed for residential buildings is 19°C + 2°C tolerance, reduced by 1 degree compared to the 20 required by law. For buildings used for industrial, artisanal and similar activities, the limit remains unchanged at 18°C ​​+ 2°C tolerance. However, as regards the daily operation of the systems, the ordinance establishes a maximum of 13 hours (instead of 14), between 5 am and 11 pm. Some particular categories of buildings are excluded from these requirements, including those used as hospitals, clinics or retirement homes, nursery schools and even nursery schools.