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Energy crisis: Lights off early and temperatures turned down in Brussels' buildings and monuments

Lighting to be switched off earlier in Grand Place this winter
18:06 20/09/2022

The decision to reduce energy consumption by Brussels City will result in new temperature and light regulations from this October, reports RTBF.

Among the sites affected is the Grand Place, with some lights to be switched off in the medieval square from 23.00.

The new regulations will come into effect this autumn when the daily indoor average temperature falls below 18°C for three consecutive days. Buildings and infrastructure owned by the City of Brussels will lower their heating depending on the state of occupancy.

Offices will have to be set at 18°C when open and fall to 16°C when closed for the night or when the building is unoccupied for a period of 24 to 48 hours. Workshops and studios will have their temperatures regulated at 15°C.

For schools, classrooms are to be set at 19°C when students are present and corridors at 14°C. Additionally, sports facilities will be set at 15°C, changing rooms 22°C.

Theatres and museums will aim for temperatures of 18°C when open. However, the latter will need constant temperatures in order to preserve works of art on display, while the former will drop to 16°C when closed.

The new heating plan will be automatically applied to public infrastructure where the heating is controlled remotely. The changes will be put in place in buildings with decentralised heating systems depending on the time needed to implement the new measures.

 

Written by Louis Kernoa-Pascoe