To keep their wallets warm, over 1.8 million Germans adopted the chill last winter
Over 1.8 million individuals opt for winter endurance, forgoing heating to reduce expenses
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A chilly wave swept through 1.8 million households in Germany last winter: according to a Verivox survey, these folks intentionally froze to save a bit on heating costs. Those with gas heaters were primarily affected, with the Heidelberg comparison portal Verivox revealing this on Wednesday. Moreover, a staggering 19% (approximately 13 million adults) took a noticeable step back from warmth.
The winter of '23 was biting, far fiercer than its predecessor, and that's not all. Natural gas heating became costlier post-April 2024 due to the restoration of the full VAT rate, while the CO2 price continued to soar at the start of the year, forcing homeowners to shiver in the cold.
Verivox energy expert, Thorsten Storck, explained the situation succinctly: "as heating with gas became more expensive, many people took the drastic measure of lowering their home temperatures, making their living spaces too cold." The survey, conducted among 1,007 participants ranging from 18 to 79, is said to represent the population in terms of age, gender, and federal state.
Source: ntv.de, AFP
In the broader context, factors contributing to the 1.8 million people freezing to save heating costs in Germany last winter, as reported by Verivox, can include:
- Elevated energy costs: High costs associated with energy, particularly in the wake of geopolitical events like the Ukraine-Russia conflict, led people to cut back on energy usage, including heating.
- Struggling economy: Economic hardship, such as inflation or reduced income, might have driven households to make tough decisions on their budget allocations, including sacrificing heating costs.
- Government policies: Policies related to energy implemented by governments, such as capping energy prices or providing energy efficiency incentives, could have influenced families' heating cost management.
- Surging environmental awareness: Growing consciousness about environmental issues might have inspired people to decrease their energy consumption, including heating, in a bid to lower carbon emissions.
For a deeper understanding of the specific factors contributing to the situation reported by Verivox, it's advisable to consult their reports or statements directly.
- The dramatic increase in energy costs, influenced by geopolitical events and government policy changes, has forced many consumers to reconsider their budget allocation, with some opting to cut heating costs.
- In an effort to prioritize health and wellness, as well as personal finance, people are becoming more conscious about their energy consumption and are adopting strategies to minimize their heating bills, such as lowering home temperatures.
- The strain on personal finances, compounded by economic hardship, has led some individuals to forego their usual standards of comfort to prioritize science (in the context of energy efficiency) and finance-related aspects, such as fitness-and-exercise and health-and-wellness expenses.
