The Klimaatverbond is a network of 150 municipalities, eleven provinces and two district water boards. Together, they started the Warm Sweater Day initiative in 2007. Greenchoice aims at providing its clients with one hundred percent green gas and electricity, and this is the first time the energy supplier is part of the organization.

For every degree the heat is turned down, the organization claims an energy saving of seven percent, as well a seven percent reduction of CO₂ emission. Wearing a warm knit, you’ll be just as comfortable, says the Klimaatverbond.

But Antoinette van der Voort, editor in chief Intranet at TU/e, begs to differ. The thermostat at her workplace has to bet set to twenty degrees or her body starts protesting. “My hands become stiff, which makes typing a problem. And the cold makes me ache – I have rheumatic condition.”

She sent an e-mail to Real Estate Management (DH). “I don’t feel for Warm Sweater Day, because I’m sure I’m not the only one with these complaints. Eighty percent of elderly people have some form of rheumatism and for sixty percent of those, complaints start before their 65th birthday. They should take that into consideration, especially since TU/e has quite a few elderly faculty members. Not just for me, but for the university’s efficiency and production’s sake.”

Van der Voort is one of 35 faculty members who responded to DH. Nineteen of them came with energy-saving tips, ranging from double glazing for Gemini Zuid to smart light switches in restrooms. Beside seven positive reactions to Warm Sweater Day, there were ten complaints as well, half of which involved health issues. DH and the complaining staff members will be looking into a solution for Friday together.

TU/e participated in Warm Sweater Day for the first time in 2011. That year, the university managed to save approximately 1500 euros. The year after that, TU/e refrained from joining the initiative because during that very cold winter a lot of energy was used to dry heat MetaForum. All buildings on campus were a little colder because of that already.

On February 8, TU/e will lower the heat to night mode, eighteen degrees, except in MetaForum, where climate control is still being set up.