As the cold season approaches, the topic of turning on radiators becomes very topical again in many Italian cities. Although the heat is still resisting in some places, several provinces in Northern Italy are already dealing with a significant drop in temperatures.
Udinefor example, received authorization to turn on the radiators two weeks ahead of the official deadline, underlining the importance of correct management of energy resources during the winter.
But which other cities can anticipate the switch-on and from when?
Here is a detailed overview divided by climate zones, which establishes the precise timing for the use of heating systems.
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Climate zones and turning on radiators
Italy is divided into six climate zones, each of which has specific rules for turning on radiators, mainly dictated by the average seasonal temperatures. The classification goes from Zone A (the hottest) to Zone F (the coldest), with variable restrictions for duration and periods of activation.
Climate zone A
Includes locations such as Lampedusa, Porto Empedocle and Linosa. Here the radiators can be turned on from December 1st to March 15thfor a maximum of six hours a day. This area is characterized by mild temperatures, where heating is not necessary for long periods.
Climate zone B
It includes the provinces of Agrigento, Catania, Crotone, Messina, Palermo, Reggio Calabria, Syracuse and Trapani. In these areas, turning on radiators is permitted by December 1st to March 31stfor a maximum of eight hours a day.
Climate zone C
This area includes cities in the provinces of Bari, Benevento, Brindisi, Cagliari, Caserta, Catanzaro, Cosenza, Imperia, Latina, Lecce, Naples, Oristano, Ragusa, Salerno, Sassari and Taranto. Here the heating can be activated from November 15th to March 31stfor a maximum of ten hours per day.
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Colder areas: earlier heating and longer duration
Climate zone D
It is a vast area that covers cities such as Ascoli Piceno, Avellino, Florence, Foggia, Genoa, Lucca, Rome and many others. In this area, the heating can be activated by November 1st to April 15thfor a maximum of 12 hours a day.
Climate zone E
The provinces of Northern Italy, such as Milan, Turin, Venice and Udine, are part of this area. Here the radiators can be turned on from October 15th until April 15thfor a maximum of 14 hours a day. These areas are generally colder and require extended heating to cope with the harsh winter.
Climate zone F
This area, which includes the provinces of Belluno, Cuneo and Trento, is the coldest in Italy and it has no limitation on the time the radiators can be turned on. Given the severity of the climate in these regions, unrestricted heating is essential to ensure the comfort and safety of citizens.
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What law regulates the turning on of heating?
The turning on of radiators in Italy is mainly regulated by Presidential Decree 412/93an implementing decree of the Law 10 of 1991created with the aim of managing the efficient use of energy resources and establishing precise rules for heating buildings. Presidential Decree 412/93 classifies the Italian territory into six homogeneous climate zones based on Degree Days (DD)which represent the sum of the differences between the average daily temperature and the temperature of 20°C during the heating period. In this way, the duration and daily switching hours allowed for each zone are determined.
The Presidential Decree 412/93 it has undergone major updates over time, such as the Presidential Decree 551/99 and the Presidential Decree 74/2013which not only confirmed the climate zones but also introduced the internal and external design temperatures that designers must consider for the sizing of the systems, both for the winter and summer seasons.
These regulations are fundamental for the correct management and maintenance of heating systems.
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The importance of municipal resolutions and respect for temperatures
Another fundamental aspect that emerges from Presidential Decree 412/93 is that the Municipalities they have the power to anticipate or delay the switching on of the heating based on seasonal temperature trends. For example, in particularly mild autumns, there may be a postponement of the switch-on, while in cases of abnormal cold, local administrations may decide to bring forward the start-up of the systems. This power given to mayors allows for useful flexibility to better manage energy resources.
Furthermore, the legislation establishes that the maximum temperature inside buildings should not exceed 19°Cwith a tolerance of 2°C, to ensure adequate comfort without excessive energy consumption. Centralized systems, such as those present in condominiums, may have more restrictive rules, and it is the responsibility of condominium administrators to ensure compliance with these provisions.
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Sanctions for failure to comply with regulations
For those who do not respect the rules on turning on radiators, they are provided fines ranging from 500 to 3000 euros. Despite the difficulty in supervision, it is essential that citizens and plant managers respect the regulations both to avoid fines and to contribute to environmental sustainability.
