Thermal Account 3.0: How It Works, What’s New Compared to 2.0, and Why Thermal Storage Can Make the Difference

The new Thermal Account 3.0 represents a major step forward in Italian energy efficiency policies. With Ministerial Decree of August 7, 2025, in force since December 24, 2025, the mechanism replaces the previous Thermal Account 2.0, introducing stricter criteria, a broader range of beneficiaries, and greater focus on high-efficiency technologies.

Unlike tax deductions, the Thermal Account is a direct, non-repayable incentive, paid quickly and designed to promote the adoption of more efficient thermal systems in both public and private buildings. In this article, we analyze the main updates of the decree, the role of technologies like heat pumps, GSE timelines, and why thermal storage systems—including innovative solutions such as phase-change thermal batteries—are among the eligible expenses.

What Is Thermal Account 3.0 and Why It Matters

Thermal Account 3.0 was created to implement Article 28 of Legislative Decree 28/2011, which requires the State to promote energy efficiency and the use of thermal renewables in buildings.

The main goals of Thermal Account 3.0 are:

• Reducing the energy demand of buildings;
• Promoting decarbonization of thermal consumption;
• Supporting high-efficiency technologies such as heat pumps, solar thermal, and hybrid systems;
• Encouraging renewable technologies and advanced system upgrades.

One of the most significant changes involves the disbursement of incentives: the contribution is paid in a single installment for all expenses ≤ €15,000, ensuring immediate liquidity for private users and public administrations.

Thermal Account 3.0 vs. Thermal Account 2.0: What’s Changed

The transition from Thermal Account 2.0 to Thermal Account 3.0 introduces a clearer set of rules focused on system quality.

Main Updates Compared to Thermal Account 2.0

1. Faster disbursement
   
   • Single installment for expenses ≤ €15,000.
   • GSE processing time: 60 days + possible 30-day extension for integrations.
2. More eligible beneficiaries
   Thermal Account 3.0 applies to:
   
   • private individuals;
   • public administrations;
   • municipal unions;
   • in-house entities and public asset managers.
3. More targeted technologies
   The new account primarily incentivizes:
   
   • electric heat pumps;
   • factory-made or bivalent hybrid heat pumps;
   • add-on integrations with existing generators;
   • solar thermal systems;
   • micro-cogeneration from renewable sources.
4. Condensing boilers: excluded from the new scheme
   While they were eligible under Thermal Account 2.0, they are no longer included in Thermal Account 3.0.
5. Stricter technical requirements
   
   • New minimum COP values and documentation standards.
   • Introduction of more realistic parameters like P_rated, SCOP, and seasonal efficiency.

Who Can Access Thermal Account 3.0?

Eligible beneficiaries are divided into two main groups:

1. Private individuals (private Thermal Account)

They can apply for the measures listed in Articles 5 and 8 of the decree, mainly related to existing thermal systems and replacements with heat pumps.

2. Public Administrations (public Thermal Account)

In addition to the same measures as private users, public administrations can reserve incentives for future projects.

How to Access Thermal Account 3.0: Timelines, Portals, and Procedures

The mechanism is based on the official GSE Thermal Portal, where all beneficiaries must register.

There are three access methods:

1. Direct access
   Submit the request within 90 days after project completion.
2. Simplified access
   
   • valid for heat pumps ≤ 35 kW;
   • solar thermal ≤ 50 m²;
   • incentives ≤ €5,000.
3. Reservation (for public administrations only)
   Requires a pre-intervention energy audit and APE, with a maximum realization time of 24 months (plus a possible 6-month extension).

Thermal Account Timelines

• GSE review: 60 days.
• Possible integration request: 30 days.
• Single installment within 90 days if expense ≤ €15,000.

Main Interventions Incentivized by Thermal Account 3.0

The decree clearly distinguishes eligible interventions, with particular focus on heat pumps and hybrid systems.

1. Electric Heat Pumps

Incentive duration:

• 2 years if P ≤ 35 kW
• 5 years if P > 35 kW

Additional requirements:

• Minimum COP: ≥ 3.5 (air-to-air) / 4.0 (air-to-water)
• Complete CE documentation + plant logbook

2. Hybrid and Add-On Systems

Eligible systems include:

• Add-on heat pumps for existing boilers (max 5 years old)
• Bivalent systems: heat pump + condensing or biomass boiler
• Certified factory-made hybrid systems

3. Solar Thermal

Incentivized with durations from 2 to 5 years depending on collector surface area.

The Role of Thermal Storage in Thermal Account 3.0

A key part of the document involves interpreting Article 9, which defines eligible expenses.

The article clarifies that the following are eligible for incentives:

• All thermal, mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment necessary for the system;
• Certain types of services related to the intervention;
• and — crucially — thermal storage systems functional to DHW production.

This means that thermal storage units (including phase-change accumulators like i-TES thermal batteries) may be eligible for incentives if installed as components for storing heat used in domestic hot water production, just like conventional water storage tanks.

It’s not the innovation itself that is incentivized, but the function: if the PCM storage serves the same or better role as a DHW tank, it qualifies as an eligible expense.

Why Thermal Storage Is Strategic

• Improves DHW availability and continuity.
• Allows heat pumps to operate under optimal conditions.
• Increases seasonal system performance.
• Stabilizes supply temperature.
• Enables better modulation under variable loads.

In conclusion, Thermal Account 3.0 represents a major opportunity to improve energy efficiency in public and private buildings, promote the adoption of heat pumps, and integrate solutions like thermal storage, which are essential for stabilizing and optimizing DHW systems.

Thanks to faster disbursement times, clearer technical criteria, and a wider range of beneficiaries, Thermal Account 3.0 becomes a strategic tool to support the country’s energy transition and structurally reduce thermal energy consumption.

Do you want to upgrade your system and benefit from the incentive? Our team can support you in selecting the most suitable technologies, verifying requirements, and designing systems optimized for Thermal Account 3.0 incentives.

Contact us for a personalized consultation and discover how to improve the efficiency and reduce the footprint of your thermal system by taking full advantage of the new decree.