Energy-Saving Measures of the Berlin Senate

With the coming into effect of the Ordinance on Securing the Energy Supply, the temperature in public buildings will be lowered to 19 degrees Celsius. In corridors and stairwells, the temperature will be lowered to 17 degrees Celsius. At night and on weekends, temperatures are further reduced. Gymnasiums and similar buildings will only be heated to 17 degrees Celsius.

Exceptions apply, for example, to schools, day-care centres or therapeutic sports facilities.

A hydraulic balancing of the heating systems will be started in all public buildings. The operating times of heating and ventilation systems will be checked and reduced to a minimum.

In public buildings, the hot water supply is switched off. Exceptions apply to the showers and wash rooms of sports facilities. Here, however, the flow temperatures are reduced to the possible minimum.

In public swimming pools, the water temperature is lowered to a maximum of 26 degrees Celsius. Outdoor pools will only be operated unheated.

Corridor lighting in public buildings will be reduced and non-essential equipment will be switched off. The switch to energy-saving LED lights in public buildings will be further expedited with additional financial resources. In addition, each administration will examine in its area of responsibility what savings possibilities exist with regards to the use of ventilation and air-conditioning systems, without compromising on infection protection.

Outdoor lighting and the illumination of representative public buildings is switched off unless safety reasons prevent it. This applies, for example, to the Victory Column, Charlottenburg Palace, and the Brandenburg Gate.

Furthermore, lighting in and around sports facilities with overnight closing times will be reduced from 10 pm. The extent to which the lighting of certain green spaces can be reduced is currently being carefully considered. Here, the focus lies on safety aspects in particular.

In street lighting, the conversion of gas lanterns to LED lamps will be accelerated. The conversion of continuously operated gas lanterns has special priority.

Planned renovations of heating systems are to be implemented quickly. This also applies to state-owned housing construction and housing companies, which are in charge of a a significant portion of apartments in Berlin. In order to decarbonise the energy consumption of public buildings and in particular the heat supply, a comprehensive restoration of the building stock is necessary. An accelerated implementation of this restoration roadmap supports the Senate’s efforts.