Filenews 8 December 2022 - by Adamos Adamou
Closed sockets, closed lights and a limit on the operation of heating systems are imposed, among other things, by the Government for energy saving in all public bodies, calling at the same time on the private sector to take seriously into account the recommendations approved yesterday by the Council of Ministers. Among the mandatory measures that will apply in the public and wider public sector, among others, the proposal that the lighting in public monuments, parks, schools and public buildings be interrupted or significantly reduced after 1 a.m. (dawn) but also the adjustment of the thermostat of the heating system so that it does not exceed 21 ° C.
The 17 mandatory measures
Yesterday's announcement of the Ministry of Energy records the following measures that should be implemented by public bodies: • Adjusting the thermostat of the heating system to not exceed 21 ° C (adjustment margin of + 2 ° C for non-central heating systems). • Setting the thermostat of the air conditioning system not to be lower than 26°C when used for refrigeration purposes. • Deactivation of cooling / heating in places and hours when there are no employees. • Deactivation of office equipment in places and times when there are no employees. • Turning off lighting in areas and times when there are no employees, unless safety issues arise. • Recording of annual energy consumption (also for electricity in detail depending on the billing period). These data should be sent on an annual basis to the Ministry of Energy for evaluation and analysis. • In cases where there is a kitchen area in the building, the appliances should be turned off during non-working hours. • All office appliances should cut off the electrical supply during non-working hours. • In the case of split type air conditioning units, interruption of electricity supply during non-working hours, provided that the manufacturer of the units recommends such an action and that the frequent interruption and restoration of electricity supply does not cause damage to the units. • Upgrading of existing lighting systems using energy-efficient lamps of a specific type. • Lighting on public monuments, parks, schools and public buildings should be interrupted or significantly reduced after 1 a.m., unless safety issues arise. • Reassessment of hours and layout of external lighting of public buildings and replace if necessary, either with closed circuit surveillance or with electronic security systems. • Electromechanical installations and electromechanical equipment in privately owned and rented public buildings should be inspected, maintained and inspected at regular intervals, based on a specific schedule. • Exterior doors should be kept closed throughout working hours, as long as a space heating/cooling system is in operation. • Providing information to employees (posters, screens) about the measures that have been implemented as mandatory in the building. • When replacing heating and cooling systems, new systems should be selected on the basis of the best energy efficiency in relation to purchase costs. • The movement of vehicles should be done, if there is the possibility of choosing a vehicle, with vehicles that have the lowest energy consumption.
