Cutting energy bills before winter

Report

The upcoming winter will be difficult for many Polish households due to high costs of heat and electricity. In the latest report by Forum Energii, more than 30 concrete measures are listed. They can be implemented easily and at a low (or even none) cost before the heating season. This will reduce bills and improve the country's energy security.  

We are in the midst of an energy crisis. Fuel and electricity prices are rising at an alarming rate. Difficulties will persist more than one winter, but it is the coming heating season that will be the trial by fire.

In the long term, only retrofit of buildings and electrification, together with the development of renewable sources, will be effective weapons in the energy war - because they reduce energy consumption and dependence on fossil fuels. The state must therefore urgently develop a network of technical and financial support to support these processes. Unfortunately, this Autumn is too late for big investments, but we cannot sit on our hands. Together with a team of energy advisors, Forum Energii has prepared a report "Cutting energy bills before winter" - which is a collection of hacks on what can be done quickly to reduce heating bills.

- We conclude that even small investments or a change in heating habits will help to reduce the bill or improve the heating situation. People cannot be left alone, but subsidies for everyone are not a good solution either. Every 100 zloty saved and every kilojoule of energy not used counts. Such measures not only protect pockets, but also the environment. We need to take matters into our own hands. The report is unusual for us, as it is addressed directly to households, suggesting solutions. We hope that this will contribute to slightly easier winter for all of us, says Dr Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, CEO of the Forum Energii.

How much the heat and electricity cost burden household budgets depends on income and the level of energy consumption of family members. Savings should be sought primarily in energy consumption. Reducing it will affect not only the budget of an individual household, but also the energy security balance of Poland as a whole, even if the reduction in demand is only a few percent.

- Most homes in Poland are highly energy-intensive. This is largely influenced by inadequate ventilation systems and poor thermal insulation of walls, windows, roofs and floors, resulting in high heat losses. To maintain a constant room temperature, more fuel is used compared to an energy-efficient home. Comprehensive retrofit is the optimal solution, but costly and time-consuming. That is why it is necessary to start with simpler and cheaper tasks, which will relieve the burden on household budgets even before the coming winter, calculates Dr. Sonia Buchholtz, co-author of the study.

In the report, we propose measures for single-family homes serving:

  • effective room temperature control,
  • improving the heating system,
  • hot water savings,
  • electricity savings,
  • effective thermal insulation of the home.

 

Authors:
Dr Sonia Buchholtz, Piotr Kleinschmidt - Forum Energii

Cooperation:
Aleksandra Stępniak
dr inż. Konrad Witczak
Karolina Marszał – Instytut Reform
Paweł Płonka – Instytut Reform
Aleksander Śniegocki – Instytut Reform

Date of publication:
28 September 2022 

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