Even lowering the room temperature by one to two degrees Celsius saves energy.
The Energy Team recommends setting the thermostat (if available) on the radiators to between 2 and 3. If the thermostats are no longer working properly or the heating system is gurgling and needs to be bled, please submit a service request for the issue.
To ensure radiators operate efficiently, they should not be blocked by furniture to allow for optimal air circulation.
Close the doors to rooms that are heated less frequently. This prevents rooms that are supposed to stay warm from cooling down. At the same time, it reduces the risk of condensation—and thus mold growth—which can form on the exterior walls of the cooler room.
Turn down the heat if you’ll be away for an extended period (e.g., a business trip). If you forgot to do so, you can also notify FM via the ticket system. We’ll take care of your office.
Reducing Electricity Consumption
Turn off the lights as soon as you leave the room; lights in hallways and restrooms don’t need to stay on all the time either.
Motion sensors help save electricity. Light sensors are also helpful, as they automatically adjust the lighting based on the amount of natural light entering the room. You’re welcome to request assistance from FM via the ticket system for this as well.
Many electronic devices often cannot be turned off completely and thus waste electricity unnecessarily in standby mode. You can tell this is happening if, for example, a light on your docking station is always on, or if device power adapters are warm or humming. Power strips with toggle switches or outlet adapters with timers can help resolve this issue.
Turn off air conditioners whenever possible, or—for example, in decentralized server rooms—check whether the temperatures can be raised.
Avoid using elevators and get some exercise
Operating personal space heaters, such as fan heaters, consumes a lot of energy and is prohibited for fire safety reasons. If your radiators aren’t getting warm, please report this as a malfunction via the ticket system.
Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation also helps: Open the windows as wide as possible for a few minutes. This quickly refreshes the air in the room without letting the interior walls cool down. Once the windows are closed again, the heating system only needs to warm the fresh air, not the solid structural elements.
Please remember to close any upper tilt windows during the cold season and to ventilate only through the large windows. This also protects our bats during the transitional season.
Rechargeable Batteries (E-Bikes)
For fire safety reasons, lithium-ion batteries (and other batteries) may not be charged in KIT staff rooms or offices. Charging e-bikes, e-scooters, and pedelecs with lithium-ion batteries is permitted only at the designated charging stations (KIT Campus North).
For more information on the safe charging of batteries, please contact the SUM Campus Fire Department. Please also note that e-bikes and e-scooters—whether for charging or otherwise—must not be parked inside buildings or in emergency exits (see Section 3, “Parking,” of the KIT Traffic Regulations).
