Dear students and staff of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar,

The 2022/2023 winter semester has successfully begun; thanks to the mild temperatures, we have so far been lucky enough to make it through autumn with no major restrictions.

Reports on the current gas supply are optimistic (see https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/Gasspeicher-in-Deutschland-So-steht-es-um-die-Fuellstaende,gasspeicher120.html or https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Gasversorgung/aktuelle_gasversorgung/start.html).

As is the case for all institutions, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is being called upon to reduce our energy consumption by at least 15 percent in order to ensure that research, art, teaching and administration can continue as optimally as possible of the semester. In order to achieve this goal, we are relying on you to behave responsibly and in the interest of the university and to actively reduce your energy consumption.

More information on the current energy-saving measures at the university can be found below.

Which elements of the »Stufenplan Energie« (graduated energy plan) have already come into effect?

We are still in the first stage of the »Stufenplan Energie« (graduated energy plan); all regulations in this stage are already in effect or are currently being implemented (https://www.uni-weimar.de/en/university/news/saving-energy-at-the-bauhaus-universitaet-weimar/news/titel/bauhaus-universitaet-weimar-plans-in-person-teaching-in-the-winter-semester-energy-saving-graduated-2/datum///news/?tx_news_pi1).

Level 2 of the Emergency Plan, which will enter into effect should a gas shortage occur, is currently being developed by the Energy Task Force based on consumption data and simulation results.

How can you reduce your energy consumption in a relevant way?

Indoor Temperatures and Heating Systems

The Service Centre for Facility Management has reduced the capacities of heating systems. Legally, workrooms must be kept at 19°C. This temperature must be maintained during the working hours of 6 am to 8 pm from Monday to Friday. The aim is to ensure that employees and students do not have to work in unreasonably cold rooms. As has been the case for some time, heating is reduced at night and on weekends.

Your behaviour is critical:

• Please use your office or workroom during the main hours of operation.
• Rooms are not guaranteed to be heated to 19°C before 6 am and after 8 pm.
• Set your heaters to between 2 and 3.
• Use the university-issued thermometers to regulate the room temperature to 19°C.
• Turn down the heating if necessary.
• Set radiators to between 1 and 2 (»moon«) once you are done work for the day and the room is no longer being used.

Where can I get a thermometer?

Thermometers are available at the Deans’ Offices as well as in the Administration Offices of the central university facilities and departments. For distribution questions, please contact the responsible office for your department. Information on thermometer use can be found here: Bauhaus-Universität Weimar: Wie montieren Sie das Thermometer zur Messung der Raumtemperatur richtig? (uni-weimar.de). Thermostats are intended to be used in workrooms.

Electricity consumption

Electricity is partially produced by gas. The university’s electricity consumption is critical for saving energy. One initial step that the university has taken is to turn off outdoor decorative lighting on its buildings. Electrical outlet switches have been issued to employees to turn off printers and telephone displays when they are not in use.

How can you reduce your energy consumption in offices and workspaces?

• Turn off all devices when they are not in use.
• Avoid leaving devices in standby mode.
• Reduce energy consumption in communal kitchens as well.

Lecture-Free Period from 22.12.2022 until 06.01.2023

The lecture-free period between Christmas and New Year’s will be extended until 06.01.2023. Employees may take holidays or work remotely. If neither of these options are possible, employees may go to work as usual. Students will be permitted to use workrooms. The University Library will resume normal opening hours starting on 02.01.2023.

Where do I go if I have questions or problems?

In case of damaged or malfunctioning radiators, please contact the Service Centre for Facility Management via e-mail: sl-sekretariat@uni-weimar.de

If you have questions or an idea on how to save energy, send an e-mail to: energie.sparen[at]uni-weimar.de 

A regularly-updated FAQ section can be found on our website at www.uni-weimar.de/energiesparen. This page offers information on student workspaces, financial support for students, and much more.

Thank you for your cooperation with saving energy. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that we successfully get through the winter semester together.

Sincerely,

On behalf of the Presidium

Dr. Horst Henrici, Chancellor