Legal requirements

The German Cabinet has adopted energy-efficiency measures designed to secure energy supplies over the short and medium term. Measures agreed include:

  • reducing the amount of office space and the number of buildings that are heated,
  • switching off the illumination of monuments and advertising panels at certain times.

The measures have been approved by the Bundesrat (German Federal Council). For more information, please consult the government's press release.

Excerpts from the Regulations Governing Short-Term Measures to Secure Energy Supplies (EnSikuMaV)

Ban on heating communal spaces (Sec. 5)

In non-residential public buildings, communal areas that are not normally used for human occupancy will not be heated.

Note: At Saarland University, room temperature is regulated as far as possible by means of radiators fitted with lockable thermostatic valve heads. These valves have been specially designed for use in heating public and commercial buildings without causing problems, such as mould growth.

Maximum workplace air temperature (Sec. 6)

In non-residential public buildings, workplace air temperatures must not exceed the following values:

  • areas where occupants carry out light physical work predominantly in a seated position: 19 degrees Celsius
  • areas where occupants carry out light physical work predominantly when standing or walking: 18 degrees Celsius
  • areas where occupants carry out for moderately heavy physical activities predominantly in a seated position: 18 degrees Celsius
  • areas where occupants carry out moderately heavy physical activities predominantly when standing or walking: 16 degrees Celsius
  • areas where occupants carry out heavy physical activities: 12 degrees Celsius

Source: Government regulation