No heating, no hot water, limited lighting – draconic measures at a Budapest university

Due to the soaring energy prices, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) was forced to introduce some draconic measures to curb the skyrocketing utility costs. Among others, they will drastically reduce the period during which the buildings will be heated. There will be no hot water except for the dormitories and changing rooms, and even the lighting will be weaker. Read more about the details below.
According to szmo.hu, the senate of the university accepted the new measures concerning the way the institution would save energy and money during the crisis. The university aims to carry out its energy-saving plan successfully. The new rules will come into effect on 19 October and remain so until 15 April 2023.
Previously, the government decided that education institutions cannot be heated above 18 °C. Furthermore, all universities had to write a so-called energy-saving plan, which they had to present to the Cultural and Innovation Ministry.
The new measures are the following:
- Heating will be reduced during certain hours of the day. There will be only limited heating between 6 pm and 6 am on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The same will apply to the period between 3 pm on Friday and 6 am on the following Monday.
- The university forbade using individual electric heating devices like radiators, oil or electric heaters. Furthermore, air conditioning systems will also be banned to use for heating.
- The intensity of lighting on the campus will be limited.
- Climate systems, save those needed for research or education, will be shut down.
- There will be no hot water except for the dormitories and the changing rooms.
- The university’s sports facilities at Bogdánffy Street will remain open even during the winter period. However, the university will not set up the volleyball and tennis court tents. Students will be able to play tennis or volleyball but only outdoors.
- The youth camp of the university in Balatonlelle and the measurement camp in Göd will be closed during the heating period.
- The Balatonfüred Knowledge Centre will only be used during pre-planned events
Source: szmo.hu