Striving for energy efficiency in the summer months, too

In response to the challenges of the energy crisis and the climate change, we have significantly reduced energy consumption in our buildings over the winter period, and all colleagues are to be thanked for their cooperation. The measures were designed to maintain a sense of comfort alongside austerity, and this will not change in the future, either. 

In the winter, the primary objective was to reduce gas consumption, while in the summer we have to focus on electricity consumption. According to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, by 2050 cooling demands might as well increase threefold compared to 2018 levels. In Hungary and worldwide, the frequency and intensity of summer heat waves are expected to increase, further increasing the cooling demands and the energy consumption of the population. This results in a vicious circle, because the production of additional energy can lead to additional emissions depending on the composition of the energy mix. 

So it is important to keep an eye on energy saving in the summer, too, and only use as much electricity as you really need to stay comfortable.  

In the interest of energy efficiency and ecological sustainability, the University intends to regulate the operation of cooling/heating equipment in its educational buildings during the summer period by introducing the following measures. 

In all University buildings during the cooling season (from 31 May 2023 to presumably 1 September 2023),  

• the cooling of offices will be provided from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays, 
• while the cooling of classrooms (subject to occupancy) and the Library will be provided from 9 am to 7 pm (during the opening hours of the buildings) 

We ask you to use the cooling systems in an energy-efficient way: 

• where the temperature can be individually controlled, start cooling above a temperature of 25-26°C, 
• if there is no one else in the room, switch off the indoor unit, 
• air conditioners should only be used with closed doors and windows (with open doors or windows, the air conditioner can cool the rooms to the desired temperature with multiple energy consumption only), 
• use the shades to protect the room from the sun’s radiant heat, allowing the air conditioning system to operate more efficiently and with significant saving in costs. 

If you have a problem or a request about cooling, please report it to the dispatcher service in the Main Building and in the Salt House, or to the main reception in Building C.