Studentenwerk Leipzig

Ecology and energy efficiency

All of the Studentenwerk's halls of residence were renovated between 1991 and 2004. Particular attention was paid to introducing modern heating and ventilation systems and a central building control system. This control system allows buildings' technical features to be controlled according to, for example, outside temperature and light levels, which helps to save heat and electricity.

Further technical possibilities include the introduction of energy-saving lighting or water-saving mixer taps, which we use throughout our halls of residence.

Offering all-inclusive rent with no additional payments often means that residents are tempted not to be too economical in their use of electricity, water and heating. The positive influence of user behaviour is the most important factor when it comes to saving heat, electricity and water. A first step in this process involves regular information. All tenants, and also the staff in charge at the Studentenwerk, can track heating, electricity and water consumption and even waste output from month to month and spot any abnormalities well in advance. What's more, tenants are provided with a range of tips on how to save energy.

Tenants can view monthly consumption rates for their halls of residence as well as tips for saving energy via their personal residential service acccount (login as with studNET).

District heating and, as of 1.1.2011, green electricity are being used in all of the Studentenwerk's halls of residence.

Photovoltaic and solar thermal energy systems

The Studentenwerk Leipzig has three photovoltaic systems, two of which can be found on the rooves of halls of residence. The third is located on the roof of the the Universität Leipzig's Geisteswissenschaftliches Zentrum building and was financed in part by loans from students.

There are also three solar thermal energy systems for the production of thermal energy, which are located on some of the halls of residence. The largest of these is on the roof of the halls on Johannes-R.-Becher-Straße. It was put together in 1999 as part of a research project carried out by Chemnitz University of Technology. The heat created is used directly in the halls of residence, thus reducing the need for district heating and other costs.

Energy certification

In 2008, the Studentenwerk Leipzig obtained energy certification in the form of consumption certificates for all of its residential buildings. These provide information as to the energy efficiency of buildings and form part of the German Energy Saving Regulation (EnEV), which came into force in October 2007.

The Studentenwerk Leipzig has obtained energy certification for all of its halls of residence. This can be viewed in the display cases in the foyers of each of the halls.

The annual energy consumption values calculated for our halls range between 80 and 150 kilowatt hours per square metre - these are very efficient levels, equivalent to somewhere between the values expected of new buildings and of buildings which have been modernised well according to energy efficiency requirements.