FAQs
General information
I have a specific question about heating or the consumption of electricity
I have a great idea for saving energy. Whom should I tell?
Use the contact form to send us your suggestions. Please enter “Idea for saving energy” in the subject line.
Where can I find more information on the subject of sustainability at the University of Cologne?
Will the canteens remain open?
Will the drinks/ice cream/sweets vending machines continue to be operated?
The vending machines are operated by the Studierendenwerk, which is currently developing a concept for the vending machines. For seasonal reasons, the ice cream machines are generally switched off in winter. Whether the other vending machines will also be switched off has not yet been decided.
Heating
Has the fact that there are buildings and rooms at the university that have been renovated to different extents and the heating temperature needs to be adjusted accordingly been taken into account?
According to §6 EnSikuMaV, the temperature in rooms designed for light physical and predominantly seated activities should be set to a max. 19°C. Renovated buildings will then consume less energy.
What can I do to save energy?
Are the common areas, corridors and hallways in buildings heated or are they left cold?
The thermostatic valves on radiators installed in storage rooms, corridors and stairwells should be set to zero (frost protection setting) as far as possible. You can find the relevant guidelines in § 5 of the Ordinance on Securing the Energy Supply through Rapid Impact Measures (Kurzfristenergieversorgungssicherungsmaßnahmenverordnung – EnSikuMaV). (Kurzfristenergieversorgungssicherungsmaßnahmenverordnung - EnSikuMaV).
Have the individual departments been equipped with calibrated thermometers to check and compare the temperature?
This is not necessary. If the heating/thermostats are correctly set, the target temperature of 19°C will be reached and maintained
What temperatures should I expect in my workplace during the winter?
The room temperature should not exceed 19 degrees Celsius, but should not fall below it either.
The operating times for the heating systems have been shortened. This means that the heating systems will only switch on during the heating season (1 Oct. - 30 Apr.) when the outdoor temperature falls to 15°C in the daytime and the lower night-time temperature setting will be valid for a longer period of time.
Adjustment of utilisation periods and usages: lower temperature settings for night times and during holidays, vacant buildings, etc. You can find the relevant guidelines in § 6 of the Ordinance on Securing the Energy Supply through Rapid Impact Measures (Kurzfristenergieversorgungssicherungsmaßnahmenverordnung - EnSikuMaV): Maximum value for the air temperature in workplaces in public non-residential buildings: a maximum temperature of 19° C is permitted in rooms designed for light physical and predominantly seated activities.
Will the hot water also be switched off?
The drinking water heating systems in public non-residential buildings, i.e. decentralised units, that are primarily designed for hand washing must be taken out of operation. An exception applies to workshops, childcare facilities, disabled toilets, canteens and sports facilities. You can find the relevant guidelines in § 7 of the Ordinance on Securing the Energy Supply through Rapid Impact Measures (Kurzfristenergieversorgungssicherungsmaßnahmenverordnung - EnSikuMaV).
What do I need to look out for when setting thermostats?
Set the heating or thermostatic radiator valve to 19°C. Thermostatic radiator valves: Set the valve to one mark lower than the setting "3" (3 = 20°C, one mark is approximately 1°C).
Reducing the room temperature by 1 °C will save around 6% in heating energy.
Are the heating systems set centrally to a “maximum temperature”?
A maximum temperature is envisaged for technical reasons because the heating water cannot be heated arbitrarily. However, the temperature will vary in the different buildings at the University of Cologne and is dependent on the design of the system. Lowering the supply temperature will not necessarily reduce energy consumption. Controlling the temperature in the rooms has the biggest influence on energy consumption.
Is it worth leaving certain rooms unheated?
Yes. Any rooms that are not being used should not be heated.
Why is it not possible to turn off the lights and heating separately in certain areas?
This is dependent on the type of installations in the building and also depends on the technology for some older buildings. This technology can and will only be renewed where possible as part of a complex renovation process.
How should I air my office?
When it is hot in the summer: Open the windows wide in the morning to air the room and let cold air into the office.
Please only open the windows fully to air the room in winter. Open the windows wide for 5 - 10 minutes. Do not leave the windows on tilt afterwards. Otherwise you will also be heating the outside air.
Am I permitted to use a fan heater or a fan?
It is prohibited to use fan heaters and fans.
Are there special regulations regarding heating temperatures for the rooms of employees with health problems?
The temperature reduction does not apply to colleagues with severe disabilities. This is regulated in the Ordinance on Securing the Energy Supply through Measures Effective in the Short Term (Short-Term Energy Supply Security Measures Ordinance - EnSikuMaV). Section 6, paragraph 4 states: The maximum values for the air temperature according to paragraph 1, nos. 1 and 2 do not apply if a lower air temperature threatens the health of employees, and other protective measures are not possible or sufficient.
What do I do when it (feels) too cold in my room?
Lights and electrical equipment
Do we also have to save energy on lighting?
Yes. Please turn off the lights when you leave your office. Please also make sure that the lights are turned off in any unused rooms. If there is enough natural light, avoid using artificial light.
Are there any special rules for my building?
Please speak to your manager to find out if there are any special rules for your building or section. Please regularly visit the “News” page.
What kind of electrical equipment should I switch off?
Please speak to your manager to find out where it makes sense to turn off electrical equipment either fully or partially. You can find some ideas on this subject here.
Why are the lights still on in some areas of the university even when nobody is there?
Some university buildings, such as the main building, are considered places of assembly according to the building regulations. According to the building regulations, safety lighting is required in these areas, which is why some of the lights in the corridors and stairwells are permanently switched on. The main building holds events that sometimes last until midnight and the lighting in the corridors can only be reduced afterwards. As part of the renovation work on the main building, which has already started or been completed in some areas, the lighting control system will be retrofitted with constant lighting controls (daylight-controlled lighting) including presence detectors. This applies to all rooms including WCs.
Can electrical appliances be controlled by a timer switch?
Division 53.3 does not recommend these switching devices because voltage peaks can occur if several appliances are controlled by one clock. The value of the devices that may be damaged by this is likely to far exceed the energy costs saved.
We would like to appeal once again to the diligence and thoughtfulness of the staff in teaching, research, and administration to switch off the devices in question at the end of the working day, to unplug them, or to use the energy-saving options in the device settings.
Please note that certain network-related devices such as copiers/printers and telecommunication systems (telephones and fax machines) should not be unplugged due to the required configurations.
Organisation of teaching/research/work
Will lectures only be held online?
The university remains committed to in-person teaching in the winter semester 22/23.
What do the occupational health and safety rules say about the room temperature in workplaces?
Please read the explanation on the implementation of the Ordinance on Securing the Energy Supply through Rapid Impact Measures (EnSikuMaV) in indoor workplaces.
Homeoffice
The possibility to work from home can be used according to the existing rules at the University of Cologne.
How can I save energy when working digitally?
Conscious behaviour when using digital devices and tools can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy.
Search engines: Every single search entry requires the use of several servers that pass information back and forth. A single Google search produces between 0.2 and 7 grams of carbon dioxide emissions. Seven grams is roughly equivalent to driving a car 15 metres.
Video streaming: One hour of video streaming produces 55 grams of carbon dioxide emissions – roughly equivalent to using an average kettle three times.
Emails: emails sent to multiple contacts or containing large amounts of data can generate up to 50 grams of carbon dioxide.
What you can do:
- Stream on a smaller screen (the carbon footprint of streaming on a 50-inch TV is about 4.5x that of streaming on a laptop).
- Limit streaming to content you really want to watch and avoid running apps in the background.
- Regularly empty your inbox, spam box and unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters. Clear your search history and clear caches regularly.
- Consider using Ecosia as your primary search engine. Here, emissions generated are offset by planting trees.
- Use your current device as long as possible (wait to buy the latest technology).
- Recycle/repair "broken" electronics
- Unplug devices when they are charged.
Contact us!
We are happy to receive tips, answer questions and provide further information on saving energy: Contact.