Energy saving mode – this is how dark it gets in winter in Austria

“This is not a year like any other,” said Energy Secretary Leonore Gewessler (Greens) at the start of “Mission 11”. A phrase we already know from the times of the pandemic. The population then contributed by wearing face masks, keeping their distance and washing hands, and now they are being asked again: Households should save 11 percent of their energy in winter – on a voluntary basis. The recommendations range from lowering the room temperature and defrosting the freezer to reducing the speed while driving (more tips by the way at www.mission11.at).

Room temperature is lowered to 19 degrees
In public buildings – with the exception of schools, hospitals and similar institutions – the room temperature will be lowered to a “crunchy” 19 degrees this winter. Similar mandatory measures are under preparation.

However, Austria is a heterogeneous country, energy saving requirements differ from region to region. How do the nine federal states plan for the coming winter and what are the challenges? Here is a small tour between Lake Constance and Lake Neusiedler See.

The lights go out in the Kärntner Bank
It is getting dark at the branches of the Kärntner Sparkasse: they switch off the outside lighting outside opening hours. In foyers and at ATMs there is only one security light – in total the banking group saves the equivalent of 1000 households in electricity. The Lindwurm will remain lit in Klagenfurt for the time being and should be allowed to shine until midnight.

Eisenstadt turns off the lights
As part of an energy-saving package, the provincial capital of Burgenland switches off the lighting of monuments (the mountain church in the photo). The street lighting will also be dimmed and the Christmas lights shortened. The water is heated less in the indoor pool. In Bad Tatzmannsdorf, the well-known Christmas house will be lit one hour less this year.

Monuments in Lower Austria are disconnected
Lower Austria took on a pioneering role with the demand for an electricity curfew. Monuments in Wiener Neustadt, such as the pavilion in the city park, will no longer be illuminated for the foreseeable future. In the country house in St. Pölten, the room temperature in the offices will be lowered from autumn. In addition, about 200,000 street lamps have been converted to LEDs.

Salzburg now turns off the lights earlier
Already in August, the city of Mozart set a good example: the fortress and 31 other monuments went dark an hour earlier. Pulling the plug completely, however, is not an option, according to the municipality. It resembles the advent lights in the famous old town, because it comes quickly. However, it is still unclear when and for how long.

Graz makes bathrooms one degree colder
Graz has pursued an ambitious plan: buildings will be lit less and municipal swimming pools a degree colder. Most cities in Styria also save on heating, ice rinks and floodlights. In Deutschlandsberg, for example, the city council is discussing switching to LED lamps, less lighting and more.

Are the ski lifts in Tyrol running slower this year?
The Tyrolean ski areas increase their ticket prices by an average of seven to eight percent. The question is whether this will offset the exploding costs. All savings options are now being explored: temporarily connecting fewer gondolas, driving slower, closing small lifts in peripheral locations on days with few passers-by. However, the aim is that the comfort of the customer should not suffer too much.

Emergency plans for all Ländle pools
Numerous energy-saving measures have already been taken in the three indoor swimming pools in Vorarlberg, such as an extension of the maintenance period. We are currently working on emergency plans. None of the managers want to lower the water temperature in the indoor pools – people should have fun, not freeze! The sauna fans may have to make compromises.

Shivering on the Viennese terraces in winter?
To support the gastronomy hit by the Corona crisis, the city of Vienna only allowed the opening of winter terrace cafes in July. Countless restaurants are already preparing for this and may be caught off guard by a ban on heating mushrooms. The first feedback from the gastro scene suggests a heated discussion.

No heating in Upper Austria, but lighting remains
The mayor of the city of Wels in Upper Austria, Andreas Rabl (FPÖ), announced on Thursday that there will be no radiant heaters on the Christmas market this year. The Christmas lights should definitely stay. In addition, city officials would be encouraged to conserve energy and lighting in public buildings would be reduced.