We’ve talked before about the charms of visiting Lucca during the non-peak winter months. The weather is cooler but for the most part comfortable and actually quite comparable to what we experience in Northern Virginia. Misty mornings, quiet streets, and the warm glow of lights spilling out of cafés and shops. The weather right now in Lucca isn’t terribly cold, hovering around 8°C (46°F), but typical winter temperatures range between 3–11°C (37–52°F). While it’s usually milder than many other parts of Europe, keeping warm in a historic home like Casa Campolattaro does require some thoughtful planning—especially since gas and electricity costs in Italy are considerably higher than in the U.S. In fact, our winter gas bills in Lucca are often higher than those for our larger single-family home in Northern Virginia!
Interestingly, Italians tend to keep their homes at cooler temperatures during the winter compared to Americans. The average temperature in Italian homes is around 18°C (64°F), with regional differences depending on the climate. This is quite cold by US standards!
By contrast, Americans often prefer warmer indoor settings during winter. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends a thermostat setting of 68°F (20°C) for optimal energy efficiency, and many households consider a comfortable range to be between 67–70°F (19–21°C). We usually keep ours set around 70°F during the day. Despite the higher energy use associated with these settings, gas and electricity costs in the U.S. are generally lower than in Italy, making it more affordable for Americans to heat their homes to higher temperatures.
Chilling Facts About Italy's Heating Policies
If you've ever traveled to Italy outside of the allowable heating and cooling dates and stayed in a hotel advertising air conditioning, only to find it wasn't working, there's a reason for that. Due to Italy's strict regulations around heating and cooling, air conditioning systems are often turned off during the colder months and can only be activated during the permitted seasonal window. While this may be frustrating if you're accustomed to year-round climate control, it's all part of Italy’s commitment to energy conservation.
Italian public buildings, like schools, are legally required to maintain indoor temperatures at approximately 18°C. This cultural tendency towards lower indoor temperatures is partly due to energy-conscious practices and the high cost of utilities. Italy’s heating regulations also play a role in these practices. The country is divided into climate zones, with each municipality determining specific dates for when heating can be turned on and off based on the local weather. Colder regions can activate their heating earlier and keep it on for longer durations, while milder areas have shorter heating seasons. Moreover, regulations often limit not just the start and end dates but also the number of hours per day heating can be used.
Thankfully, Casa Campolattaro has its own heating and cooling system, but we still strive to respect Italy's regulations, which emphasize energy conservation by dictating specific seasonal dates and daily usage limits based on each region's climate.
Our time in Lucca has taught us to adapt to these differences and embrace the Italian approach to energy conservation while staying comfortable. By dressing appropriately and focusing on heating or cooling specific rooms, we’ve learned to manage temperatures effectively, whether in the sweltering summer heat or the chill of winter.
Here are some tips to make your winter stay at Casa Campolattaro, or any historic home, both comfortable and energy-efficient:
Radiant Flooring Heat
One of the best features of Casa Campolattaro we're lucky to have is its radiant flooring heat, which keeps your toes toasty and ensures even warmth throughout the house. We’ve set the floors to an optimal temperature to help maintain efficiency and ask our guests not to tinker with that thermostat, but contact us if they aren't comfortable.
Layer Up for Comfort
When temperatures dip, there’s no need to immediately turn up the heat. Throw on a sweater—or a jumper, as our friends from the UK would say (I don't know why that term always makes me laugh!)—and embrace the cozy winter vibe. Personally, I love sleeping in a cool room with plenty of blankets piled on, that I typically kick off in the middle of the night. There’s something so comforting about bundling up under layers of warmth while the winter air adds a refreshing crispness to the room. Keeping bedroom shutters and doors closed at night helps retain that cozy feeling.
Let the Sun Shine In
Take advantage of sunny winter days by letting the sun work its magic. Open the shutters and curtains during the day to allow sunlight to warm the house naturally. Even in cooler months, Lucca often enjoys bright days that can help take the edge off the chill inside.
The Power of Shutters
Casa Campolattaro is a historic property, and like many homes of its age, we have windows that aren’t as energy-efficient as modern ones. That’s where traditional Italian shutters shine. Shutters aren’t just for keeping out the summer heat—they’re equally important in the winter. Closing them at night adds an extra layer of insulation, helping to keep the warmth inside and the cold out. This simple habit can make a noticeable difference in your comfort and energy use.
Zone Heating and Strategic Temperatures
The historic layout of our home with the division into "giorno" (day) and "notte" (night) zones allows us to focus on warming the areas we’re actively using and avoid overheating unused spaces. The radiant floors provide a baseline warmth, so we don’t need to rely on multiple heating units at once. For example, during the day, we concentrate heating in the "giorno" areas like the kitchen and living room, while keeping the "notte" areas such as bedrooms cooler until nighttime. This definitely stands in contrast to our central heating system in the US.
Balancing Costs and Comfort
Heating a historic home in Italy can be costly, and we appreciate our guests’ mindfulness about energy use. Small actions, like keeping windows and doors tightly closed and wearing an extra layer, go a long way in managing costs.
Despite the higher utility bills, winter in Lucca is a season to savor. Whether you’re exploring the city’s walls wrapped in a scarf, enjoying a quiet moment with a cappuccino, or retreating to the warmth of Casa Campolattaro, winter brings a slower pace and opportunities to embrace life’s simple comforts.
So bundle up, let the sunlight stream in, and enjoy the magic of a Tuscan winter!
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