Climate zones
As is known, there are in Italy six climate zones (from A, the hottest, to F, the coldest) where they are establish by law the dates on which radiators can be kept on during the winter, based on the climatic characteristics of the area:
- Band A: includes the warmest areas, in particular some coastal areas of Sicily and Calabria.
- Band B: covers other areas of southern Italy with a mild climate, such as some southern coasts.
- Band C: concerns the central coastal areas and the southern inland areas.
- Band D: includes most central cities and some northern cities.
- Band E: covers northern areas with harsh winters, such as Milan and Turin.
- Band F: concerns mountain areas, where temperatures are generally lower all year round.
To understand in which climate zone your municipality is located you can consult this document which illustrates the zoning by the Ministry of Ecological Transition currently in force (dated 2016, as a progressive update compared to 1993).
Heating activation: 2024-2025 calendar
The radiator switch-on calendar established by Presidential Decree 74/2013 is as follows:
Band | From (DD) | TO (DD) | Daily hours | Start date | End date |
TO | 0 | 600 | 6 | December 1st | March 15 |
B | 601 | 900 | 8 | December 1st | March 31st |
C | 901 | 1400 | 10 | November 15th | March 31st |
D | 1401 | 2100 | 12 | November 1st | April 15th |
AND | 2101 | 3000 | 14 | October 15th | April 15th |
F | 3001 | +∞ | no limitations (all year) |
The daily duration of activation of systems not located in zone F is included between 5am and 11pm each day.
In the presence of particularly severe climatic situationshowever, the municipal authorities, with their own reasoned provision, may authorize the switching on of gas-fired heating systems even outside the indicated periods to the decree, provided that it is for a reduced daily duration (not exceeding half of that allowed ordinarily). On the contrary, with particularly mild temperatures, municipalities can decide to postpone.
Maximum ambient temperature values
The same DPR also establishes the maximum ambient temperature values. During operation of the winter air conditioning system, the weighted average of air temperaturesmeasured in the individual heated rooms of each property unit, it shouldn’t Therefore overcome:
- 18°C (+ 2°C tolerance) for buildings used for industrial, artisanal and similar activities;
- 20°C (+ 2°C tolerance) for all other buildings.
In 2022, in order to facilitate the application of the limitations of the Cingolani decree, AENEAS I had a handbook has been published with the essential indications for correctly setting the heating temperature, which the condominium administrators will be able to make available to the condominiums. The document, entitled Essential information for correct setting of gas heating systemsis still useful despite the decree being outdated, and is available here.