Conserving energy is the order of the day. Even so, all HAW Hamburg members should feel as comfortable as possible in our buildings. Here you can find information about the university's energy conservation measures, student initiatives and what you yourself can do. Answers to questions about the various measures are also provided here.
Questions and answers about energy conservation at HAW Hamburg
What steps is HAW Hamburg taking to conserve energy?
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In accordance with the federal government's ordinance on securing energy supply via rapid-impact measures and the Hamburg Senate's 25-point plan, the following measures are being implemented successively at HAW Hamburg:
Heating/airing out of rooms
- Reduction of room temperature to 19°C (The thermostat dials will be adjusted and restricted accordingly.)
- Foyers and corridors will only be heated enough to keep them free of frost
- Technical optimisation of heating and ventilation systems
- Time-controlled heat supply (e.g. sinking of temperature at night)
Lighting
- Successive transition to LED lighting wherever technically possible
- Refitting of corridors and stairwells with on-demand light switches
(Lighting can be turned on via a switch as needed.) - Reduction of purely aesthetic lighting
Water
- Hot water supply turned off (exceptions where operationally necessary in laboratories, workshops, cleaning supply rooms)
Devices
- Cooling via air conditioners in summer at minimum temperature of 26°C
- Prohibition on the use of privately purchased devices (e.g. portable heaters, fans, full-spectrum daylight lamps, etc.)
- Refitting with power bars and plugs that have on/off switches
Is an emergency plan in place for the event that there are energy shortfalls this winter?
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An energy-management taskforce made up of experts from all the relevant organisational units has been established to enable a quick and thorough response in an emergency situation. Following discussions with our energy suppliers, Stromnetz Hamburg and Wärme Hamburg, a serious shortfall is currently not expected. Additionally, a disruption to gas supplies would have virtually no direct impact on the functioning of HAW Hamburg's buildings.
Could a lower room temperature pose a risk to my health, especially if I have a pre-existing condition?
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The sinking of the room temperature from 20°C to 19°C is definitely less comfortable. However, according to our occupational physician, Dr. Peschke, it does not represent a health risk.
Should an employee nevertheless have the impression that they are at risk – for example, because of a pre-existing condition – they will need to provide a doctor's note (Attest). Pursuant to the regulations outlined by the City of Hamburg's Human Resources Agency, this note must contain very concrete and comprehensible information, so that the supervising staff member is able to assess the individual risk.
In such rare cases, an individual risk assessment must be completed, as part of which suitable protective measures are to be identified. The occupational health and safety specialists from the Occupational Safety Unit (AKU) (Arbeitsschutz (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de) or the occupational physician (ursula.peschke (at) zafamd.hamburg (dot) de) can provide support here if necessary.
Do you have questions or suggestions regarding energy conservation?
energiesparen (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
