Operation Thermostat

[braindoc]

Has anyone experienced the new ban on setting the air conditioning below 25°C/77°F? Are the hotels and public buildings following the new rule?

 

[BryanS]

Just another issue all of Europe is facing as a result of Russia's aggression - energy supplies. This new regulation went into effect 1 May and is set to last until next April - depending of Russia's actions if it is extended into winter's heating. The limit is 27 C with a 2 degree variance allowed.

It applies to all public building (including schools) except medical facilities. Private companies and individuals are "encouraged" to comply at this time.

 

[joe]

I suppose that the test of this ordinance will be not now, when temperatures are pleasant, but in the summer months. Then we'll see what type of enforcement will be applied, if at all.
If it was up to me, I would not try to enforce a regulation like this, but adopt a nation-wide campaign that would put a sign/sticker outside businesses or public buildings (but also private residences) that choose to comply voluntarily with the request. Something like : "This place saves energy in order to stand with Ukraine". This might lead to a better and more unifying response. Sure, anything can be cheated - but the amount of cooperation might be surprisingly high, and perhaps enough for the planned goals.

 

[Ian Sutton]

I suppose that the test of this ordinance will be not now, when temperatures are pleasant, but in the summer months. Then we'll see what type of enforcement will be applied, if at all.
If it was up to me, I would not try to enforce a regulation like this, but adopt a nation-wide campaign that would put a sign/sticker outside businesses or public buildings (but also private residences) that choose to comply voluntarily with the request. Something like : "This place saves energy in order to stand with Ukraine". This might lead to a better and more unifying response. Sure, anything can be cheated - but the amount of cooperation might be surprisingly high, and perhaps enough for the planned goals.

I really like your thinking. I have good faith in general, that when it's clear why it would be a good thing, then people will try to do the right thing.

However when widescale enforcement is threatened, and especially when the chances of actual enforcement are slim, people will merely ignore the rule. I suspect Italians would be every bit as likely to ignore as us!

That said, I remember many times where the supposed air con and also supposed heating, simply wasn't working, or if it was, it was rather ineffective. Better perhaps to stay in a real house/apartment in a palazzo, designed to mitigate heat in summer, and also adapt to the natural cycle and rest inside where it's cooler at lunchtime.

 

[Pauline]

@Jim Zurer mentioned No air conditioning in his Rome hotel in his trip report. I wonder if this is the reason?