Be SMART – Do more with less: Information on saving energy

Heating and ventilation systems are centrally set to summer mode during the warmer months of the year. This means that regardless of the setting on site, static radiators will not emit heat. In addition – where possible – heat is not supplied via ventilation systems.

During the colder months of the year, heating and ventilation systems are centrally set to winter mode. In accordance with regulations issued by the federal cabinet, the heating temperature in all university buildings and premises will be lowered to 19 °C, where possible. There are no plans to turn off the heating in offices entirely. When heating your office or workspace, please close any doors and make sure that radiators are not blocked by furniture. During weekends or public holidays, the heating will be lowered centrally.

Currently, LUH is mainly supplied with heat via enercity's district heating network. The heating is controlled centrally via the building management system. Flow temperatures are controlled via optimised heating curves and depending on current outdoor temperatures. Scheduled night setbacks too are initiated centrally, via the building management system. During the warmer months of the year, static radiators are turned off centrally (summer mode).

To maintain the specified maximum room temperature of 19 °C in winter mode, all radiator thermostats must be in position “3”. Otherwise, adjacent rooms may not be supplied with sufficient heat.

If you prefer cooler temperatures, you are free to choose between positions 0-3 of the radiator thermostat while in the office.

In unoccupied rooms (during weekends or vacations), radiator thermostats must be in position “2” in order to maintain the required minimum temperature within buildings.

Information on radiator thermostat positions:
Position “2” (position “3”): If the room temperature reaches approximately 16 °C (19 °C), the thermostat prevents the inflow of new heated water, therefore saving energy.
Thermal loads in the room (people, machinery, etc.) as well as solar irradiation also contribute towards heating the room.

Offices are not air-conditioned. The use of ventilators in offices is permitted.

If necessary, laboratories and lecture halls are air-conditioned via central ventilation systems.

Tilting windows over an extended period of time during the heating period considerably increases energy consumption. Instead, rooms should be aired thoroughly three or four times per day by opening windows completely for three to ten minutes. When airing rooms, please close the doors and turn off the heating.

In rooms equipped with ventilation systems, ventilation should be switched on before the start of the session.

The Green Office temporarily lends measuring devices to all LUH staff members in order to determine the power consumption of individual appliances. The devices can be plugged into sockets to measure the power consumption of electrical appliances connected to the measuring device. A set of five measuring devices can be borrowed over a period of two weeks. Contact information: greenoffice@zuv.uni-hannover.de

The energy-saving regulations of the federal government prohibit exterior lighting of monuments and buildings for purely aesthetic reasons. At LUH, this explicitly includes prestigious events.

Moreover, the Buildings Management Department assesses which exterior lights can be switched off without causing security issues. In case of any issues regarding exterior lighting, please send an email to energiesparen@uni-hannover.de.

In offices and workspaces at LUH, expenses for replacing the lighting in relation to savings must be assessed individually. Please note that we are not in a position to accommodate requests regarding the replacement of lighting in individual offices since this involves a disproportionate effort and rarely results in reasonable amortisation. Instead, please consider replacing the lighting in larger areas, such as an entire corridor or the entire institute. Requests may be submitted by sending an email to energiesparen@uni-hannover.de. Due to the large number of enquiries, delays may arise. Thank you for your patience.

Malfunctioning radiators and other faulty devices at LUH can be reported by calling +49 511 762 - 4440. Due to the large number of enquiries, delays may arise. Thank you for your patience.

The agreement on working from home and telecommuting applies.

LUH as an employer cannot be charged for energy costs in connection with telecommuting / working from home.

Computers and monitors should be switched off outside of working hours. Devices should not be left in standby mode. Network printers can be switched off. Network printers must always be switched off via the off switch. Pulling the power plug may damage internal hard disks. For the same reason, using time switches in this context is not permitted.

With regard to heating, please refer to FAQ section 1.1.1.

Multiple socket extension leads that can be switched off can help saving energy. By switching off all connected devices at the same time, unnecessary stand-by operation can be avoided.

Each multiple socket extension lead has a maximum power output, which must not be exceeded. Individual specifications can be found next to the on/off switch or on the underside of the device. High-powered devices must be plugged into separate wall sockets. Multiple socket extension leads should be accessible and must not be plugged into other multiple socket extension leads, due to fire safety risks. For outdoor use or in damp locations, multiple socket extension leads require a protection class of IP 44 or higher.

Due to the increased demand, the Green Office provides a limited number of multiple socket extension leads free of charge, available for interested members of staff or institutes and departments at LUH. Only one multiple socket extension lead per person can be obtained to be used in offices. A maximum of five multiple socket extension leads per institute or department will be issued. Collective orders are possible. The offer is subject to availability. There is no entitlement to receive multiple socket extension leads.

Contact information: greenoffice@uni-hannover.de

In offices, meeting rooms, kitchenettes and sanitary facilities, the light should be switched off when leaving the room. Individual rules apply in halls and laboratories, depending on the types of light sources.

The university provides funding for individual energy-saving measures. If ideas and measures increase the energy efficiency of research and institute operations and if these investments pay back within a reasonable period of time, they can be funded with up to 100 percent of the purchase price. Further information can be found at https://www.intern.uni-hannover.de/nocache/de/vademecum/detail/1143/

The Green Office will be happy to provide guidance on this: greenoffice@zuv.uni-hannover.de.

Teaching and learning at LUH takes place on campus.

The Presidential Board urges members of teaching staff to use online examination formats. Due to the energy crisis, renting external locations for examinations will no longer be possible.

Studentenwerk Hannover (Student Services Organisation Hannover) had set up two emergency funds for students who are in financial difficulty or in need due to rising energy costs. Applications for the emergency fund may still be submitted, which is tailored to the needs of students with children, pregnant students or students with disabilities/chronic illnesses who struggle to cope with rising costs by working extra hours. Visit www.studentenwerk-hannover.de/geld/hilfsfonds-fuer-studierende  for more information.

If necessary, replace out-of-date devices with new energy-efficient models. Where this is impossible or only possible to a limited extent, implement technical solutions for energy-efficient operation in your area, for example by shutting down equipment, reducing the use of equipment or by reducing operation during the night.

Please also refer to the Energy saving tips provided by the Green Office (only available in German)

Please check whether the air change rate outside of operating times can be reduced in accordance with necessary user requirements.

A large amount of energy can be saved by removing leaks within the compressed air network. For this purpose, please call +49 511 762 - 4440. Compressed air requirements of users should be kept to a minimum.

Please check whether the air change rate can be reduced or if ventilation and air-conditioning systems can be turned off outside of usage periods within the framework of legal requirements.

If possible, individual hazardous substance storage units can be centralised in order to deactivate or reduce equipment.