Prohibit the use of air conditioning below 25 degrees? Agnès Pannier-Runacher talks about her wish to consult the administration


The Minister for Energy Transition spoke about the potential terms of such a measure, saying that it should apply on a case-by-case basis depending on the type of profession.

Invited this Thursday morning on France 2, Agnès Pannier-Runacher reacted to the law that came into force last May in Italy on the ban on using air conditioning below 25 degrees. Asked about the possibility in France of following such a lead, she said she was in favor of engaging in consultation with the various players in the business world.

This is a track that has been looked at by experts, by certain organizations in companies. This is one of the subjects on which I wish to consult (sic) representatives of the administration, but also to ensure that trade unions and professional organizations talk to each other to find solutions“, she clarified. The Minister for Energy Transition also spoke about the potential terms of such a measure, saying that it should apply on a case-by-case basis depending on the type of profession. “Everyone in his work has different conditions. Cooling down while sitting at a desk is not the same as when constantly moving. The heat impression is different“, she added.

“Thermostat Operation”

With the aim of gradually moving away from Russian gas and saving energy, the Italian government passed a law aimed at limiting the operation of air conditioners to 25 degrees in all public buildings. Baptized “Thermostat Operation“, it came into force on May 1, 2022 and now applies to all places open to the public, i.e. all schools, administrations, universities and even public spaces in some of the hotels. It must end on March 31, 2023. Administrations and hotels that do not comply with this rule risk a fine of up to 3,000 euros.

SEE ALSO – Electric cars at 100 euros per month: the device will not be aimed “at all French people”, specifies Agnès Pannier-Runacher

However, the law does not apply in hospitals or private homes, although the government asks its citizens to follow the example. “Do you prefer peace? Or leave the air conditioning on?urged the President of the Council of Ministers Mario Draghi. In Italy, about one in two homes is equipped with an air conditioner, thus identifying nearly 24 million devices in the country. This represents a higher consumption than that of heaters in winter. Thanks to this measure, the government hopes to save between 1.5 and 2 billion cubic meters of gas out of the 29 billion Russian gas that the country will have to do without following its announcement to no longer supply itself to Russia from the end of 2024. .


SEE ALSO – Ecological transition: “We must make up for lost time”, says Agnès Pannier-Runacher



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