Updates, Incentives, and the Role of Heat Pumps
The new Conto Termico (Thermal Account) will come into effect during the Christmas period, bringing significant updates that will impact citizens, businesses, and public administrations. Following its publication in the Official Gazette, this instrument—now in its third version—confirms itself as a strategic lever for energy efficiency and the green transition in Italy.
The planned financial allocation amounts to €900 million per year, €400 million of which will be reserved for public administrations. This considerable budget clearly demonstrates the central role of this incentive, especially at a time when other building bonuses are increasingly being reduced and limited.
What Is the Thermal Account?
The Conto Termico is a government incentive designed to support energy efficiency improvements and the production of thermal energy from renewable sources. Unlike traditional tax deductions, this incentive provides direct reimbursement into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
The main advantages of this model are:
- Universal access: no distinction between first and second homes, and no income limits;
- Immediate liquidity: for amounts up to €15,000, the contribution is paid in a single installment;
- Shorter payment periods: above this threshold, payments are made over a maximum of five years—compared to ten years for tax deductions.
It should be noted that the maximum contribution can cover up to 65% of eligible expenses and is calculated based on technical parameters such as power output, efficiency, and the geographical location of the system.
Which Projects Are Eligible for Thermal Account Incentives?
For private citizens, eligible projects include replacing old heating systems with heat pumps or hybrid systems, installing solar thermal systems and heat pump water heaters, and introducing micro-cogeneration or efficient district heating solutions.
For public administrations and businesses, the new Thermal Account broadens the range of opportunities: in addition to the interventions available to private individuals, it also covers thermal insulation (such as external cladding), high-performance windows, solar shading, building automation systems, and efficient lighting. Among the most anticipated new additions are charging stations for electric vehicles and photovoltaic systems with energy storage.
It is also worth noting that this incentive stands out from other financial tools (such as the Ecobonus or Superbonus) because it is not income-based, does not require tax capacity, and ensures much faster reimbursement times. Another significant advantage is the presence of a pre-qualified product catalogue provided by the GSE (Energy Services Manager), which simplifies procedures and speeds up access to the contribution.
Implementation Rules: What’s Missing for Full Operation?
To complete the implementation of the new Thermal Account, the application rules still need to be defined—expected within two months of its entry into force. These rules will specify how applications must be submitted and establish the technical criteria for calculating contributions.
Naturally, the sector hopes for quick timelines and fully digitalized procedures to avoid excessive delays that could reduce the attractiveness of the program.
Heat Pumps: The Key Technology for the Future
Heat pumps play a central role in the new Thermal Account. These systems significantly reduce fossil gas consumption and COâ‚‚ emissions, while also allowing for integration with photovoltaic and energy storage systems.
The updated incentives support traditional heat pumps, hybrid models, and heat pump water heaters—ideal solutions for the residential sector. A key factor in improving efficiency lies in the fact that this approach enables the development of homes that are increasingly energy independent.
Heat Pump Day: A European Day for Heat Pumps
Today, more than 24 million heat pumps are installed across Europe. Each year, they help avoid the consumption of 5.5 billion cubic meters of gas and reduce CO₂ emissions by 45 megatonnes. However, in 2024, sales dropped by 47% compared to the previous year—signaling that barriers related to cost, lack of awareness, and insufficient targeted incentives remain.
The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) has reiterated the need for an EU Heat Pump Action Plan, featuring:
- measures to support production and workforce training;
- the introduction of more flexible electricity tariffs.
The importance of heat pumps was officially recognized on October 21 of last year, when the first-ever Heat Pump Day was celebrated. This initiative, promoted by the EHPA, aims to highlight how heat pumps can help achieve the 2030 and 2050 climate goals and is expected to return on October 21, 2025.
Participation is simple and open to everyone: record a short 30–90 second video sharing your experience with heat pumps, post it on social media on October 21 using the hashtags #HeatPumpDay and #HeatPumpVoices, and tag EHPA’s official channels to join the community.
The event not only gives citizens a voice but also strengthens the network of professionals and enthusiasts in the field. Heat Pump Day is thus not only an educational and awareness-raising occasion but also a collective celebration, helping build a European community united around the transition to clean heating.
The First Step Toward Energy Innovation
In light of the above, it can be stated that the Conto Termico represents a true turning point for Italy’s energy policy. It offers immediate, accessible, and targeted incentives that can effectively accelerate the country’s energy transition.
Supporting this statement is the pivotal role of heat pumps—the most strategic technology thanks to their efficiency, sustainability, and ease of integration with renewable energy sources. However, targeted actions will still be needed to overcome economic and cultural barriers, simplify procedures, and raise public awareness.
In this journey, initiatives such as Heat Pump Day play (and will continue to play) a key role by strengthening dialogue between institutions, businesses, and consumers, while accelerating the adoption of cleaner, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly energy solutions.
