VICENZA, Italy - Utilities are a large annual expense for the United States Army, and U.S. Army Garrison Italy - at more than $16 million per year, and electricity, at more than $9 million - costs more than all other utilities combined.
So it makes sense when the garrison works to conserve energy and try to reduce its impact on the environment, that there is a focus on electricity consumption and air conditioning.
Because of the sudden onset of some hot weather here in Italy, there have been many questions about the air conditioning policy for USAG Italy - a policy written especially because this is the only garrison in Europe that is authorized general air conditioning.
Air conditioning is turned on in accordance with Army regulations and compliance with Italian energy codes. The USAG Italy heating and air conditioning policy states that AC systems will be activated no earlier than May 15 and only after three consecutive days with temperatures greater than 26.5 C (80 F). The policy also follows a priority system, beginning with health and dental care facilities, child development centers, Child & Youth Services, schools, and operational or mission facilities. In reality, some operational facilities have year-round cooling for computer data centers and high heat computer simulation or military intelligence centers.
Comfort cooling of standard offices and community facilities generally follow the barracks. Plus, family housing at Villaggio has heat pump systems controlled by independent thermostats. What may confuse occupants is the limiter on the thermostats. The AC will not cool the house below 23 C no matter what temperature is selected on the thermostat, and this is similar for the heating season.
This limit was put in place because of excessive energy consumption and equipment damage from occupants who abused the systems. Keep in mind that Italian energy codes design the buildings to provide only 10 C degrees of cooling below the outside temperature, so if it's 38 C outside, the indoor temperature would rise to 28 C.
The weather forecast has much milder temperatures until after May 15, at which point all general air conditioning will be prepared for summer.
When office workers do turn on air conditioners, remember to set the thermostat no lower than 24 C, open windows at night or in the cooler morning for ventilation instead of during hot afternoons, and shut off all AC split units at night and weekends to save energy since it really only takes a few minutes to cool off an office in the morning.
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