Our goal is to save at least ten percent in energy at Freie Universität. We are currently developing a communication plan to support university members in making the incremental changes in their everyday lives that will allow us to achieve this goal and overcome challenges on the way. Over the coming months, we will need everyone to do their part to help ensure success. 

Turning Down the Heating

In line with a recent federal ordinance, the room temperature in offices, lecture halls, seminar rooms, libraries, common rooms, and other workspaces may not exceed nineteen degrees Celsius throughout the fall and winter months. Certain special facilities, such as day care centers, will be excluded from this measure. Many other common areas such as stairwells, hallways, and spaces designated for storage and transport will generally not be heated (subject to the nature of the building’s construction).

Identifying Where We Can Save Energy

In the upcoming weeks, teams from the Engineering and Utilities Division and the Unit for Sustainability and Energy Management will be visiting departments and offices across the entire university to help identify areas where energy can be saved. The teams will be investigating whether it is possible to reduce the temperature even further overnight and on the weekend, and when to run ventilation systems. Potential energy-saving measures will also be discussed within the individual departmental sustainability teams. These proposals will then be promptly implemented in close coordination with the departments and administrative units as well as other relevant university committees and bodies.

We will also refrain from illuminating buildings and switching on outdoor lighting, provided that this does not impact safety on campus. An effort will be made to immediately switch to energy-saving LED lighting, and lighting will be reduced in the hallways of all buildings.

Furthermore, Freie Universität Berlin will be introducing a modernization program whereby older lab and office equipment will be replaced with new, more energy efficient models.

FAQs on the Main Energy-Saving Measures 

We Need Your Support!

Energy consumption is not just a technical issue. Students, researchers, and employees can all make a significant contribution to overcoming this difficult situation by making simple changes to their everyday behavior. Every little bit helps – we can all make an effort to reduce our energy consumption at work. For example, using laboratory equipment and ventilation systems properly, ensuring that you turn down the thermostat in your office in the evening and over the weekend, using shared tea- and coffee-making facilities appropriately, or switching off lights when rooms are not in use – all these actions can make a huge difference when taken together.

Recommendations and Tips for Saving Energy at the University