In its mission statement, under the heading ‘Responsible Use of Resources’, Schmalkalden University is committed to sustainable practices. Membership of the Thuringia Sustainability Pact (as one of currently three Thuringian universities) is therefore a logical step in our long-standing commitment to regional sustainability.
All members of Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences consider it their duty to use natural resources sparingly and sustainably. The university utilises renewable energy sources and implements energy-saving measures in order to act in an environmentally responsible manner. At the same time, the university actively employs management approaches to strengthen the social dimension that goes beyond the concept of environmental sustainability, such as through ‘Total E-Quality’.
The following section outlines some of the initiatives and activities undertaken by Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences:
- Climate-neutral state administration by 2030: Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences’ contribution
- A university project to reduce heat build-up in its buildings during the summer
- Energy saving at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences
Tips for saving energy at HSM – your contribution matters!
Tip to download
Heating
- Turn the heating down at night and switch it off when it is not needed (for example, at the weekend, on holiday, or when working from home)
- During the colder months, make the most of sunlight to warm the room, e.g. by raising the blinds
- Close doors; ventilate thoroughly rather than leaving windows tilted open continuously
Electricity
- Switch off PCs, monitors, printers and other devices on standby
- Reduce monitor brightness to 50–75 per cent; switch off secondary monitors when not in use
- Avoid using lifts where possible
- Switch off the video function during virtual meetings (saves data traffic and thus energy)
- Use power strips with a toggle switch
In the office
- Check before leaving your workstation (devices off? Lights off? Windows closed?)
- Communicate ways to take action, save energy as a team
- Share electrical appliances such as coffee machines or kettles in the kitchenettes, fill up thermos flasks or take breaks together.
Further energy-saving opportunities in research
- Establish rules, e.g. with a marker, specifying which devices can be switched off in the evening or immediately after use (depending on the device) (e.g. centrifuges, heating cabinets, water baths)
- Shared use of laboratories and equipment
- Bundle production runs (to minimise warm-up times)
- In laboratories, switch on lights only as needed (not all of them)
- Open fridges, freezers and cold rooms only briefly and do not leave them open for long
- Ensure adequate ventilation for equipment that generates a lot of waste heat (e.g. fridges/freezers, servers)
Further energy-saving opportunities in teaching
- Switch off lecture theatre/seminar room lighting, projectors and other equipment after the last session