Germany wants to become independent of Russian gas. For this reason, the temperature in public buildings is throttled and the lighting in buildings is reduced.
In order to save energy, public buildings should generally only be heated to a maximum of 19 degrees from September. The federal cabinet passed a corresponding regulation on Wednesday in Berlin.
Until now, the recommended minimum temperature for offices was 20 degrees. Transit areas such as corridors, foyers or technical rooms should normally no longer be heated. These and a number of other requirements are to apply for six months.
It is also planned to stop lighting buildings and monuments for purely aesthetic or representative reasons. Illuminated advertising systems should also be switched off overnight.
Gas suppliers must provide information about additional costs
There are also restrictions on private individuals: they are no longer allowed to heat their pools with gas and electricity. Provisions in rental contracts about a certain minimum temperature are temporarily suspended. At the latest at the beginning of the heating season, gas suppliers and owners of larger residential buildings must inform customers or tenants about the energy consumption to be expected, the associated costs and potential savings.
“The federal government is consistently pursuing its policy of becoming independent of Russian energy supplies,” said Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens). It is very important to save significantly more gas – in public administration, in companies and in as many private households as possible. “We are facing a national effort, and it requires strong interaction between the state, business and society, the federal, state, local authorities, social partners, trade unions, trade and associations as well as civil society. Every contribution counts,” he emphasized.
Another regulation, which the cabinet also passed on Wednesday, still needs the approval of the Federal Council and is to apply for two years from October. Among other things, it provides for mandatory annual heating inspections for buildings with gas heating.
Notification from the Ministry of Economics dated August 13, 2022
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
