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Energy-saving indoor temperatures explained (and why tourists won't 'fry')
23/08/2022
EUROPE'S move to cut energy use in a bid to reduce its dependency on Russian gas, to curb climate change and tackle ever-increasing fuel costs has led to action affecting the high street in Spain – but, despite reports in some international press about how tourists will 'fry in summer and freeze in winter', the actual impact is set to be minimal.
And steps taken elsewhere on the continent are at least similar to those of Spain or, in some cases, even more restrictive.
Since a week ago, private- and public-sector buildings – including workplaces, hotels, bars and restaurants – are required to set their summer air-conditioning to a temperature no lower than 27ºC.
Once winter weather starts in earnest, indoor temperatures must not rise above 19ºC – which, in most of the southern half of the mainland, will involve the same air-conditioning devices as those used to regulate heat and cold in summer, since they double up.
Mains gas is mostly a northern phenomenon in Spain or, where it is found further south, tends to be installed in big cities, since it is used for central heating and cooking; in the southern half of the country, winters are shorter and milder and, even when a deep freeze happens, home heating is typically only necessary for about two or three months of the year, meaning it is rarely worth the upheaval and expense of having gas pipes fitted.
For gas hobs, barbecues or ovens, these parts of the country would normally buy butane gas bottles instead.
Gas is also used to generate electricity, hence the need to reduce power consumption in general.
What the rules mean and why there's very little difference, in reality
Recent headlines in the UK media claimed the new measures would leave 'British holidaymakers' sweating in stifling 27ºC indoor heat, but in reality, the minimum summer inside temperature is only 1ºC higher than it has been for over a decade.
In fact, a maximum indoor figure of 27ºC – and a minimum of 17ºC in winter – has been enshrined in law for 25 years, through the Royal Decree, or Bill of Law, number 486/1997.
Recommendations set approximately 15 years ago, which were strongly advised for employee health and safety reasons even if not legally binding, were that winter temperatures inside premises used by workers and the public should sit at around 21ºC, and in summer, at 26ºC.
The reason for higher summer figures is so that the contrast with the outside temperature is not too drastic – walking into a premises at 21ºC in winter is pleasant, but during a heatwave, will see customers shivering.
Also, humidity is key: Outside temperatures on the coast at 27ºC are fairly warm; in the even-more humid island climate of the UK, 27ºC is sweaty and unpleasant; but in an indoor, air-conditioned environment when the outside figure is nearly 10ºC higher, the much lower humidity means the atmosphere is more comfortable.
Additionally, public transport, hospitals and health centres, among similar areas, do not have to follow the minimum and maximum temperature rules – although airport terminals, bus and train stations do - and private homes are exempt.
As for the 19ºC limit in winter, this means the contrast is not so great in relation to outside – and central heating is rare outside northern and high-altitude areas in Spanish homes, meaning indoor winter temperatures are unlikely even to be as high as 19ºC. Plus, the last thing Spanish residents want after sweltering summer months is to be sweating at home in winter, too: A cooler indoor environment comes as a blissful contrast.
Spain was also criticised in the UK press for its decision to reduce lighting in public areas, including turning off night illuminations in shops when they are not in use, and street lights in areas already well-lit by residential buildings.
In practice, shop fronts in Spain usually have fixed metal blinds which come down at closing time, completely obscuring any lit-up windows, meaning the effect is likely to be minimal.
Much tighter limitations in other European countries
Restrictions elsewhere in Europe are similar. In France, where Emmanuel Macron wants to cut energy use by 10% in the next two years, the 26/19 summer/winter rule will also apply, and commercial premises using air-conditioning must keep their doors shut, or face fines of up to €600.
Neon signs, shop windows and lit-up billboards must be turned off from 01.00 to 06.00, on pain of a €1,500 fine.
Workers have been asked to try to turn off unnecessary lighting and appliances, such as computers, when not in use, work from home where possible, use public transport where they can, and only to use the air-conditioning when the inside temperature exceeds 26ºC.
France has a high dependency on nuclear power, which supplies about 42% of its energy needs.
Germany relies hugely on Russian gas, oil and coal; the giant eastern nation supplies 55% of Germany's gas, 35% of its petroleum and 45% of its coal-based fuel.
Restrictions are set by State, or 'Land', rather than nationally – in Bavaria, hot water is no longer supplied to public-sector offices, temperatures are reduced to 19ºC, and unused areas of buildings are not heated at all. Water supply is cut off in schools during holidays, and all lighting in council-owned buildings is turned off out of hours.
Hannover and Lower Saxony have banned use of hot water for showers in swimming pools, gyms and leisure centres, and public pools will no longer be gas-heated; public-sector buildings will have no heating on at all from April to September inclusive and set at a maximum of 20ºC the rest of the year.
Warehouses, storage areas, corridors, and other parts where workers and customers do not spend much time will be at a maximum temperature of between 10ºC and 15ºC.
Most Lands in Germany will have limited or no on-tap hot water on leisure premises and in public offices, lighting in municipal buildings and monuments are turned off, and even traffic lights when these are not in use.
All public-sector and commercial buildings, except hospitals, health centres, care homes and similar have been under temperature-control measures in Italy since May, and shops are now required to close earlier to save energy.
Street lighting and illuminations for key monuments – such as the Colisseum in Rome – have been cut by 40%, and fines are issued for any company or organism which breaches the rules.
Italy is not expecting too many energy supply problems this winter, since the 40% of its gas imported from Russia last year has now shrunk thanks to a deal with Algeria for use of its pipelines.
For this reason, the Italian ministry for Ecological Transition – covering environment and energy – says it 'will not be adopting draconian measures'.
Buildings used by the public in Greece will not be allowed to reduce their inside temperatures below 27ºC in summer, and all office workers must shut down their computers at the end of the day instead of leaving them on stand-by.
During winter in Greece, these same premises will set their air-conditioning or heating to a maximum of 19ºC.
Winter heating in the Czech Republic – or Czechia, as it is now known – is limited to 18ºC in offices, 19ºC in schools and other education centres, and 20ºC in hospitals and health centres.
Until now, the maximum was 22ºC, but as winters are much colder in the land-locked central European country, these figures are still fairly warm even for workers in a sedentary rôle.
The restrictions will not apply unless the Russian invasion of Ukraine depletes Czechia's energy sources, and a specific 'temperature table' has been created to dictate maximums according to type and use of building or room and structural features.
Poland which, along with Hungary, voted against the move to make a gas-use reduction of 15% a legal requirement, has not yet set any national standards or procedures, despite the country's heavy dependency on Russia – about 40% of its gas comes from its neighbouring nation.
But the national government has urged homeowners to insulate their properties, and pledged several billion in public funding to help cover the cost of the works.
Why Spain's fuel cut instructions are more lenient
Spain is partially exempt from the 15% cut – its own reduction is set at 7%, thanks to the western Mediterranean nation's capacity for redirecting liquid gas to other countries, meaning it effectively acts as an alternative supplier.
Along with Portugal, Spain has limited interconnection with the Russian gas supplies in the rest of Europe, and is able to rechannel liquid gas that reaches its ports to other countries on the continent to help increase their reserves and reduce their reliance on Russia.
Island nations are also given more flexibility, since their interconnection with the European gas network is extremely limited and cutting their consumption would have little or no impact, nor would they have any real supply problems if Russia closed the pipeline.
Malta and Ireland, for this reason, were initially opposed to the 15% reduction, but have been given special concessions.
Flexibility over the 15% is also granted to those countries whose existing gas reserves are already comfortably high.
Spain is close to this position, but not quite there: The cut-off is an 80% gas reserve, and Spain's is at 72%.
Concessions on the 15% limitation are also granted for countries which rely heavily on gas use for essential industry and services, such as the Baltic States, or where their national consumption has risen by at least 8% in the last year compared with the average for the last five.
Spain also falls into this category, since its gas consumption has risen sharply in order to enable it to generate electricity to supply to France, as an alternative to the latter's high nuclear dependency.
This, and a pledge to attempt to do likewise with other heavily Russian-dependant nations, was considered sufficient 'solidarity' to give Spain more lenient rules to follow.
At present, the blanket 15% reduction is voluntary but strongly advised, although if Russia cuts off the pipeline to Europe, it will become compulsory.
'Protected consumers', for whom reduction criteria do not apply, include essential industries and services, 'socially-critical' functions such as healthcare and defence, and domestic environments, meaning private homes will not have to cut their gas and electricity use by law under any circumstances.
Related Topics
EUROPE'S move to cut energy use in a bid to reduce its dependency on Russian gas, to curb climate change and tackle ever-increasing fuel costs has led to action affecting the high street in Spain – but, despite reports in some international press about how tourists will 'fry in summer and freeze in winter', the actual impact is set to be minimal.
And steps taken elsewhere on the continent are at least similar to those of Spain or, in some cases, even more restrictive.
Since a week ago, private- and public-sector buildings – including workplaces, hotels, bars and restaurants – are required to set their summer air-conditioning to a temperature no lower than 27ºC.
Once winter weather starts in earnest, indoor temperatures must not rise above 19ºC – which, in most of the southern half of the mainland, will involve the same air-conditioning devices as those used to regulate heat and cold in summer, since they double up.
Mains gas is mostly a northern phenomenon in Spain or, where it is found further south, tends to be installed in big cities, since it is used for central heating and cooking; in the southern half of the country, winters are shorter and milder and, even when a deep freeze happens, home heating is typically only necessary for about two or three months of the year, meaning it is rarely worth the upheaval and expense of having gas pipes fitted.
For gas hobs, barbecues or ovens, these parts of the country would normally buy butane gas bottles instead.
Gas is also used to generate electricity, hence the need to reduce power consumption in general.
What the rules mean and why there's very little difference, in reality
Recent headlines in the UK media claimed the new measures would leave 'British holidaymakers' sweating in stifling 27ºC indoor heat, but in reality, the minimum summer inside temperature is only 1ºC higher than it has been for over a decade.
In fact, a maximum indoor figure of 27ºC – and a minimum of 17ºC in winter – has been enshrined in law for 25 years, through the Royal Decree, or Bill of Law, number 486/1997.
Recommendations set approximately 15 years ago, which were strongly advised for employee health and safety reasons even if not legally binding, were that winter temperatures inside premises used by workers and the public should sit at around 21ºC, and in summer, at 26ºC.
The reason for higher summer figures is so that the contrast with the outside temperature is not too drastic – walking into a premises at 21ºC in winter is pleasant, but during a heatwave, will see customers shivering.
Also, humidity is key: Outside temperatures on the coast at 27ºC are fairly warm; in the even-more humid island climate of the UK, 27ºC is sweaty and unpleasant; but in an indoor, air-conditioned environment when the outside figure is nearly 10ºC higher, the much lower humidity means the atmosphere is more comfortable.
Additionally, public transport, hospitals and health centres, among similar areas, do not have to follow the minimum and maximum temperature rules – although airport terminals, bus and train stations do - and private homes are exempt.
As for the 19ºC limit in winter, this means the contrast is not so great in relation to outside – and central heating is rare outside northern and high-altitude areas in Spanish homes, meaning indoor winter temperatures are unlikely even to be as high as 19ºC. Plus, the last thing Spanish residents want after sweltering summer months is to be sweating at home in winter, too: A cooler indoor environment comes as a blissful contrast.
Spain was also criticised in the UK press for its decision to reduce lighting in public areas, including turning off night illuminations in shops when they are not in use, and street lights in areas already well-lit by residential buildings.
In practice, shop fronts in Spain usually have fixed metal blinds which come down at closing time, completely obscuring any lit-up windows, meaning the effect is likely to be minimal.
Much tighter limitations in other European countries
Restrictions elsewhere in Europe are similar. In France, where Emmanuel Macron wants to cut energy use by 10% in the next two years, the 26/19 summer/winter rule will also apply, and commercial premises using air-conditioning must keep their doors shut, or face fines of up to €600.
Neon signs, shop windows and lit-up billboards must be turned off from 01.00 to 06.00, on pain of a €1,500 fine.
Workers have been asked to try to turn off unnecessary lighting and appliances, such as computers, when not in use, work from home where possible, use public transport where they can, and only to use the air-conditioning when the inside temperature exceeds 26ºC.
France has a high dependency on nuclear power, which supplies about 42% of its energy needs.
Germany relies hugely on Russian gas, oil and coal; the giant eastern nation supplies 55% of Germany's gas, 35% of its petroleum and 45% of its coal-based fuel.
Restrictions are set by State, or 'Land', rather than nationally – in Bavaria, hot water is no longer supplied to public-sector offices, temperatures are reduced to 19ºC, and unused areas of buildings are not heated at all. Water supply is cut off in schools during holidays, and all lighting in council-owned buildings is turned off out of hours.
Hannover and Lower Saxony have banned use of hot water for showers in swimming pools, gyms and leisure centres, and public pools will no longer be gas-heated; public-sector buildings will have no heating on at all from April to September inclusive and set at a maximum of 20ºC the rest of the year.
Warehouses, storage areas, corridors, and other parts where workers and customers do not spend much time will be at a maximum temperature of between 10ºC and 15ºC.
Most Lands in Germany will have limited or no on-tap hot water on leisure premises and in public offices, lighting in municipal buildings and monuments are turned off, and even traffic lights when these are not in use.
All public-sector and commercial buildings, except hospitals, health centres, care homes and similar have been under temperature-control measures in Italy since May, and shops are now required to close earlier to save energy.
Street lighting and illuminations for key monuments – such as the Colisseum in Rome – have been cut by 40%, and fines are issued for any company or organism which breaches the rules.
Italy is not expecting too many energy supply problems this winter, since the 40% of its gas imported from Russia last year has now shrunk thanks to a deal with Algeria for use of its pipelines.
For this reason, the Italian ministry for Ecological Transition – covering environment and energy – says it 'will not be adopting draconian measures'.
Buildings used by the public in Greece will not be allowed to reduce their inside temperatures below 27ºC in summer, and all office workers must shut down their computers at the end of the day instead of leaving them on stand-by.
During winter in Greece, these same premises will set their air-conditioning or heating to a maximum of 19ºC.
Winter heating in the Czech Republic – or Czechia, as it is now known – is limited to 18ºC in offices, 19ºC in schools and other education centres, and 20ºC in hospitals and health centres.
Until now, the maximum was 22ºC, but as winters are much colder in the land-locked central European country, these figures are still fairly warm even for workers in a sedentary rôle.
The restrictions will not apply unless the Russian invasion of Ukraine depletes Czechia's energy sources, and a specific 'temperature table' has been created to dictate maximums according to type and use of building or room and structural features.
Poland which, along with Hungary, voted against the move to make a gas-use reduction of 15% a legal requirement, has not yet set any national standards or procedures, despite the country's heavy dependency on Russia – about 40% of its gas comes from its neighbouring nation.
But the national government has urged homeowners to insulate their properties, and pledged several billion in public funding to help cover the cost of the works.
Why Spain's fuel cut instructions are more lenient
Spain is partially exempt from the 15% cut – its own reduction is set at 7%, thanks to the western Mediterranean nation's capacity for redirecting liquid gas to other countries, meaning it effectively acts as an alternative supplier.
Along with Portugal, Spain has limited interconnection with the Russian gas supplies in the rest of Europe, and is able to rechannel liquid gas that reaches its ports to other countries on the continent to help increase their reserves and reduce their reliance on Russia.
Island nations are also given more flexibility, since their interconnection with the European gas network is extremely limited and cutting their consumption would have little or no impact, nor would they have any real supply problems if Russia closed the pipeline.
Malta and Ireland, for this reason, were initially opposed to the 15% reduction, but have been given special concessions.
Flexibility over the 15% is also granted to those countries whose existing gas reserves are already comfortably high.
Spain is close to this position, but not quite there: The cut-off is an 80% gas reserve, and Spain's is at 72%.
Concessions on the 15% limitation are also granted for countries which rely heavily on gas use for essential industry and services, such as the Baltic States, or where their national consumption has risen by at least 8% in the last year compared with the average for the last five.
Spain also falls into this category, since its gas consumption has risen sharply in order to enable it to generate electricity to supply to France, as an alternative to the latter's high nuclear dependency.
This, and a pledge to attempt to do likewise with other heavily Russian-dependant nations, was considered sufficient 'solidarity' to give Spain more lenient rules to follow.
At present, the blanket 15% reduction is voluntary but strongly advised, although if Russia cuts off the pipeline to Europe, it will become compulsory.
'Protected consumers', for whom reduction criteria do not apply, include essential industries and services, 'socially-critical' functions such as healthcare and defence, and domestic environments, meaning private homes will not have to cut their gas and electricity use by law under any circumstances.
Related Topics
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