OVER 1.8 MILLION GERMANS TOUGHED OUT THE COLD LAST WINTER FOR HEATING SAVINGS, REPORT Suggests
Over 1.8 million individuals opting for cold conditions amidst winter to reduce heating expenses
On social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, shares a headline that's sure to stir a chill down your spine: Over 1.8 million Germans huddled up last winter to save on their heating bills!
According to a survey by Verivox, Germany's popular comparison portal, these icy gut-gritters represent three percent of the population who regularly froze their bums off during the chilliest months, making homes frequently too chilly to bear. That's not all—a staggering 19 percent, or 13 million adults, significantly reduced their comfort temperatures.
The survey, conducted among 1,007 individuals aged 18 to 79, reveals that people using gas heating were particularly sensitive to the cold. The previous winter was colder than the one before, plunging gas heating costs higher due to a return to the full VAT rate on natural gas in April 2024. Adding fuel to the financial fire, the CO2 price also skyrocketed at the start of the year.
Thorsten Storck, Verivox's energy expert, explained the frigid trend, commenting, "With gas heating becoming more expensive, many Germans took matters into their own hands by turning down their heaters and enduring the cold for the sake of their wallets."
While the survey findings paint a chilly picture for heating bills in Germany, milder winter temperatures, energy efficiency measures, government policies, and the transition to alternative heating sources might have kept the icy grasp of heating cost doom at bay for some.
So, while the numbers are bracing, the survey raises questions about the extent people are willing to tolerate discomfort for the sake of their pockets. But remember, it's always essential to strike a balance between warmth and wallet—saving a buck doesn't have to mean freezing your cucumbers off!
[References]
- ntv.de
- AFP
- energiedienst.de
- deutsche-energie-agentur.de
- sueddeutsche.de
- The survey by Verivox found that a significant percentage of Germans are adjusting their comfort temperatures due to rising heating costs, with 19% making the cold bearable.
- In light of the chilling trends, Verivox's energy expert, Thorsten Storck, explains that many Germans are turning down their heaters to save money, despite the ironic discomfort this brings.
- To navigate the icy grasp of heating cost doom, the survey suggests milder winter temperatures, energy efficiency measures, government policies, and the transition to alternative heating sources as potential solutions.
- On social media platforms like WhatsApp and Twitter, the headline about 1.8 million Germans freezing to save on heating bills is causing quite a stir, raising questions about the lengths people are willing to go for financial savings.
- As people continue to prioritize personal-finance over warmth, it's essential to maintain a balance between frugality and comfort, ensuring that saving a buck doesn't mean freezing your cucumbers off.
