The electricity bill comes as a shock. Mould is forming in the bedroom. Cold air is seeping in through the window frames. The experts at the Climate Protection Agency in the district of Tübingen are familiar with these problems and offer advice on how to tackle them—independently, free of charge and particularly recommended for low-income households. tuenews INTERNATIONAL spoke to one of the advisers.
Andreas Nouskas and his two colleagues are on the trail of energy guzzlers. In face-to-face discussions with tenants, the agency’s advisers identify weak points in the home. They then draw up a plan on how to reduce energy costs in a targeted manner. The results are provided in writing—with specific recommendations for practical steps.
Replace old light bulbs with LED lamps
Old light bulbs, for example, are among the biggest energy guzzlers in the home. They can be replaced with new LED bulbs. Windows should not be left tilted open all the time on cool days. Heat loss through draughty or poorly sealed windows can be reduced by fitting new seals or ensuring the window sashes close properly.
You can find out how much electricity a fridge uses with a meter. This can be borrowed from the agency. A new fridge (without a freezer compartment), for example, can help save between 21 and more than 50 euros in electricity costs per year. Put simply, mould forms when damp air comes into contact with cold walls. The energy advisor explains this problem just as clearly as the solution—that is, how to prevent mould.
Contact the agency: by phone or online
Those seeking advice have various options for contacting advisors from the Climate Protection Agency—on Friday, 27 March, from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm at an information stand at the Tübingen Food Bank. Tenants can also seek advice by phone or book appointments online. There is a form on the website for this purpose. On this form, interested parties can, for example, tick “Achieve measurable savings step by step” as the reason for seeking advice. The consultants will get in touch as soon as possible to arrange an appointment and discuss which type of consultation is most suitable.
In total, the agency’s experts conduct over 1,000 face-to-face consultations each year. In addition to private households, the advisers also inform landlords, local authorities, businesses and associations about energy-saving opportunities, the replacement of heating systems and the installation of photovoltaic systems.
The Climate Protection Agency is supported by various shareholders. These include the District of Tübingen, the District Craftsmen’s Association, the Chamber of Architects, and the municipal utilities of Tübingen, Rottenburg and Mössingen. The main sponsor is the Tübingen District Savings Bank. The agency cooperates with the Consumer Advice Centre. It provides funding from a grant scheme run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
Further information:
https://www.agentur-fuer-klimaschutz.de/Energieberatung
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