Energy renovation in mosques and the energy crisis
Energy crisis: Action recommendations for mosque communities
In recent months, energy costs have risen significantly. Further price increases are expected in the coming autumn and winter.The reason for the increase is massive price jumps on the procurement markets, triggered by the war in Ukraine.
Even before the Ukraine war, Russia had restricted and even temporarily stopped gas deliveries to Germany. This led to bottlenecks on the gas wholesale markets. Low filling levels in gas storage facilities – particularly in Gazprom Germania facilities - caused energy costs to rise. Uncertainties and the sanctions policy of Russia and the EU led to further price increases.
The current situation
At the moment Russia is no longer supplying gas via Nord Stream 1. This supply stop is likely to remain in place, so gas suppliers will have to buy replacements in the short term. This will lead to another jump in prices. In addition, the accessibility of energy is likely to be restricted due to the current circumstances.
In Germany, every second home is supplied by a gas heater. In addition to rising electricity costs, high gas costs are also to be expected. Consequently, heating the home, hot water and the use of electricity will become a challenge for consumers in Germany and Europe.
Both the EU and its member states, including Germany, are aware of the energy crisis, have set up aid measures and are working on strategies to solve it.
Mosque communities in the energy crisis
In difficult times, it is important to stand together as a society and lead by example. This currently also includes reducing the consumption of energy as much as possible. This is not only a requirement of the moment, but also necessary in view of the worsening climate crisis. In addition, it is a commandment of our faith as Muslims to use resources and nature sparingly and not wastefully.
Especially in our mosque communities, which as consumers and as an active part of society are also affected by the current crisis, it is now even more important than before to rethink our own energy consumption and to take concrete measures.
To this end, we have prepared a series of action recommendations for our mosque communities.
Recommendations to mosque communities in the energy crisis
Short-term and quick ways, to reduce overall energy consumption:
- Conversion to LED lighting and motion detectors
- Conversion of pressure reducers in sanitary facilities
- Switching from paper towels to washable towels
- Closing doors in heated rooms
- No blockage of radiators
- Switching off devices that are in standby mode
In addition, events that take place at the same time can, if possible, be moved to a common room.Alternatively, events could also be staggered on one day at different, consecutive times, so that a room is used several times over the long term. This way the heating of several rooms can be limited or minimized.
Long-term and more sustainable opportunities are associated with an investment that brings long-term savings for mosque communities and that is sustainable. Depending on their sustainability, these are subsidised in European countries in various ways by the state.
Possible energy-related renovation measures are:
The renovation of the roof. Here the roof will be insulated and re-covered. With this measure the removal of asbestos, the extension of the roof overhang or the improvement of fire protection is also carried out. There is also the possibility of renewing the roof truss, the rain gutters and the chimney, as well as converting the attic into living space and displaying this as a renovation.
The façade insulation. The façade is a large component of the building envelope through which a lot of heat and thus also heating energy can be lost. Façade insulation is always exterior insulation, where the exterior walls of a building are thermally insulated. There are various forms of façade insulation, whereby a complete thermal composite system is recommended.
The renewal of windows. In contrast to old windows, modern windows are glazed airtight and can thus withstand temperature equalization between the outside and inside very effectively. Even with windows that do not necessarily have thermal insulation glazing, a lot of heating costs can be saved. More important than the glazing, however, is the correct installation of a well-insulated window frame. This is the thermal bridge through which heat could escape from the inside of the building and lead to loss.
Switching to alternative heating options. Besides oil and gas, there are alternative and also cheaper ways to heat a building. These can be state-subsidised in various constellations. It is impossible to say which heating system is best; it always depends on the situation and the possibilities in the building. Some heating options are:
- Heat pumps are generally the best choice for well-insulated new and old buildings, even if installation is associated with high costs.
- Hybrid heating systems with solar thermal systems are also an energetic solution for which subsidies can also be applied for, so switching to district heating can also be a worthwhile conversion.
- The most ideal is the independent generation of electricity, as well as your own water heating. It is possible to connect photovoltaic systems with solar thermal systems and thus generate thermal energy and use it to heat water and to support the heating system. Both systems can be mounted on the roof, depending on the orientation of the roof. Photovoltaic is the most popular and perhaps simplest way to use solar energy. The energy of sunlight is converted into electricity by the irradiation in photovoltaic cells. This can be used itself by operating a heat pump, installing a charging station for electric vehicles or storing it in a hydrogen storage tank.An alternative to photovoltaic is solar thermal energy. With this measure, the light energy of the sun is converted into thermal energy. This is done with the help of tubes through which water is pumped into a heating water circuit. This water can be provided as hot water for your own use or it can also be used to support the heating system. Installing a solar thermal system is cheaper than installing a photovoltaic system. However, the savings are not as high.
Support from EMUG
EMUG has been working intensively on the subject of energetic renovation for more than two years now. In several workshops and regular visits to the mosques, the energy transition was discussed and possibilities were discussed. There are already projects in which energy renovation is carried out within the scope of possibilities for the benefit of the mosque community.
EMUG works together with suppliers of renewable energy sources. If necessary, these can be passed on to mosque communities after a consultation.
For this purpose, Mr. Kerim Işık,energy officer at EMUG, can be contacted via the e-mail address [email protected] at any time. He advises mosque communities on the procurement and organisation of energy-related renovation concepts.