The city is preparing for the impending energy emergency - and is turning on the air conditioning

Created: 08/11/2022, 16:02

By: Wolfgang Schorner

Town hall in Penzberg - exterior facades are no longer illuminated.

© Wolfgang Schorner

Air conditioning systems cool less, the town hall is no longer illuminated, city fountains only bubble up for a few hours: This is part of a package of measures that the city of Penzberg has put together because of the impending energy shortage and rising prices for its public buildings.

Penzberg – Municipalities all over Germany are considering how energy can be saved.

As a city, you have a role model function, explains Karl Schwarzbeck from the municipal environmental and climate protection department in Penzberg.

He recently presented a package of measures that can be implemented quickly.

This includes, for example, reducing the target temperature of the heating systems in public buildings from 21 to 19 degrees on colder days.

Mayor: Prepare for a gas emergency

Prepare for the gas emergency, according to Mayor Stefan Korpan (CSU. The alarm level has been in effect in Germany since June 23. The next and final level would be the emergency level. Korpan also made it clear that the municipal package of measures affects public buildings. In the case of municipal residential buildings "They won't lower the temperatures. The city will not close any gyms either. Something like this has to come from the government," he said.

Penzberg's package of measures includes seven points

The municipal package for its own public buildings includes seven points.

Accordingly, both the heating and the hot water operation are completely switched off in the schools and gyms during the holiday periods.

This already applies to the current summer holidays.

The air conditioners in public buildings are also shot.

According to Schwarzbeck, the target temperature will be increased from 24 to 26 degrees.

Cooling only takes place above this temperature.

All electric instantaneous water heaters on the individual washbasins are also switched off.

The package also includes resetting the automatic light sensors.

According to Schwarzbeck, the light should burn “as briefly as possible”.

Outside areas and facades, for example at the town hall and museum, are no longer illuminated.

In addition, the running time of the municipal fountains is limited to 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

All municipal buildings and objects are affected - except for residential buildings

According to Schwarzbeck, all municipal buildings and objects (except residential buildings) that are looked after by caretakers are affected.

The measures had already been discussed with the caretakers in July.

They should apply “from now until further notice”.

There is one restriction: There must be no damage to buildings or exhibits in the museum.

According to Schwarzbeck, this is a first step.

The duration and amount of savings could be adjusted depending on the situation.

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In the most recent city council meeting, Christine Geiger (CSU) asked that, given the high electricity costs, the cemetery buildings should also be considered. Katharina von Platen (Greens) said that it would be worth considering switching off the heating and hot water in schools and gyms during the holidays .

Chamberlain warns of galloping energy costs

City Treasurer Hans Blank also warned in the special budget session that the city's energy costs will still cause major problems.

According to him, the last figures set in the budget have already been exceeded.

"The approaches have run away from us." Blank appealed that further energy savings had to be decided.

The existing package of measures is “only a small leap”.

Upgrading of street lighting in the city center

For example, the city has long been trying to convert all lights on streets and paths to LEDs.

She expects energy savings of around 63 percent.

About two thirds of the approximately 2200 light points have not yet been converted.

Jens Weißflog from the city building office presented the project at the end of 2021.

The funding applications have long been submitted, but the city is still waiting for an answer.

The project also includes converting the 72 ground spotlights in the city center, which illuminate the trees from below, to LEDs, which was the subject of controversial discussion in the city council a few months ago.

The city council still has to decide whether it will actually stay with the tree spotlights.