Over a Million Germans Braved the Cold Last Winter to Save on Heating Costs: A Trend Towards Energy Efficiency and Moderation?
Approximately 1.8 million individuals enduring winter cold to minimize heating expenses
A staggering 1.8 million people in Germany purposefully braved the cold last winter, as per a survey by Verivox, to slash their heating bills. The Heidelberg comparison portal reported this startling statistic on Wednesday, revealing that gas heating users were particularly affected by this drastic measure [Source: ntv.de, AFP]. Another 19 percent, or 13 million adults, adopted more modest habits to stay comfortable at home.
Last winter was noticeably colder than the previous one, and the return to the full VAT rate on natural gas in April 2024 resulted in higher heating costs. Adding to the financial strain, the CO2 price increased at the start of the year. Consequently, many people opted to endure colder indoor temperatures, a rather common response given the economic and energy climate [Source: Verivox energy expert Thorsten Storck].
The survey, which questioned 1,007 people aged 18 to 79, seems to represent the overall German population in terms of age, gender, and federal state.
German homes are built with energy efficiency in mind, featuring well-insulated doors and windows that keep the warmth within. Combined with a cultural norm of moderate heating, this structural efficiency often allows residents to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive heating costs.
Cleaner, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly heating technologies are paving the way forward in Germany. Innovations like heat batteries, which improve heating system efficiency and reduce storage tank sizes, are representative of these advances. As policy reforms emphasize efficiency criteria and flexibility, the German heating landscape is being shaped to support such innovations, thereby reducing the need for households to adopt extreme measures like prolonged freezing [Source: enrichment data].
While grappling with high heating costs remains a prevalent issue for many German citizens, the trend seems to be leaning toward energy-efficient building design, moderate heating use, and a push for renewable energy sources. It appears that the focus is on striking a balance between indoor comfort and cost control, rather than resorting to drastic under-heating.
- The employment policy of Verivox, as a comparison portal, focuses on providing data and insights that help consumers make informed decisions about their energy usage and costs, as demonstrated by their survey on heating costs and energy efficiency habits.
- In light of the increasing focus on energy efficiency and cost-saving measures, there's a growing need for policy reforms that prioritize efficiency criteria and flexibility in the heating sector, as per the employment policy agenda.
- As part of the health-and-wellness and personal-finance sectors, Verivox's employment policy emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and cost-effective living, especially in areas related to energy consumption and home expenses.
- With the rise of cleaner and more cost-effective heating technologies like heat batteries, the employment policy in Germany's science and technology sector is aiming to foster innovation and development that can enhance the efficiency of heating systems and reduce reliance on extreme measures like prolonged freezing.
- As the population grows more conscious of energy conservation and cost control in their homes, the employment policy in Germany's fitness-and-exercise and health-and-wellness sectors is witnessing an increase in demand for information on energy-efficient practices that promote comfort at home without excessive heating costs.
