By extending the Energy Saving Ordinance until April 15, the German government has made it clear that saving energy is still necessary and makes sense. The district councils are also saving energy in many different areas. In some areas, these are short-term energy-saving measures, but the focus is on implementing measures from which the municipalities can benefit in the long term. These include, for example, converting street lighting to LED lamps, installing solar thermal systems in outdoor swimming pools and reducing lighting in administrative buildings.
The municipal library in Asperg has shown great commitment to saving energy - with success. To kick things off, Alexander Greschik, the climate and energy manager for the town of Asperg, drew up a balance sheet. Together they analyzed consumption and considered which measures could be implemented in which order to save energy. First, the lighting in the library was switched from halogen spotlights to LEDs and the lamps were only switched on as required. Then the temperature of the underfloor heating was lowered so that it is now between 16 and 20 degrees. Outside of opening hours, all devices are consistently switched off instead of remaining in stand-by mode. Furthermore, room ventilation was reduced by up to four hours a day. The ventilation unit requires an output of 35 kW - enough to power around 7000 LED lamps or 80 vacuum cleaners.
This resulted in a 31% saving in heat and a 42% saving in electricity. The cost savings associated with the measures are a positive side effect: around 6000 euros, which are now available for other projects. "I am amazed at how much our measures have already saved, although none of the measures taken are noticeable as unpleasant in everyday life. Some users have certainly not noticed anything at all," says Heidrun Zultner, head of the public library.
To accompany the measures, an information corner has been set up in the library with books on the subject of "climate and energy", and electricity meters can also be borrowed here. In addition, lectures are offered in cooperation with the Schiller Adult Education Center and the Energy Agency (LEA) of the Ludwigsburg district, for example on the topics of solar power from balconies and terraces or insulating residential buildings.
Heidrun Zultner is surprised by the response: "So far, we have only received positive feedback on the events and the measures. Of course, this motivates us to go further and think about what else can be done. A bit of sporting ambition on the subject can't hurt either."
