More than half of Czech households plan to cut heating, survey finds

More than half of Czech households plan to save more on heating this year than last year. Nearly one in four Czechs already feels they lack thermal comfort, almost twice as many as last year. This is driven mainly by fears of further energy price rises, which 77 percent of people expect due to the tense geopolitical situation. This is according to a survey by Ipsos for energy company epet.

According to the survey, conducted in the first half of October among 1044 respondents, 54 percent of households plan to save more energy this year because of the geopolitical situation, with approximately one in eight planning significant savings.

About a third of respondents also said that they would heat their homes less than they would like in an effort to save money. When they feel cold, many people plan to put on an extra layer of clothing rather than turn up the heat. Almost half of respondents say they reach for a sweater or sweatshirt, according to the survey, with women choosing this option more often than men. Men, in contrast, are more likely to turn up the thermostat.

People's idea of a comfortable temperature is also changing. In 2024, more than 23 percent of respondents preferred a temperature of 22 degrees or higher at home; this year, the figure is just under 18 percent. The most common choice remains a range of 20 to 22 degrees, preferred by 56 percent of respondents. About a quarter prefer a temperature between 18 and 20 degrees.

Changing weather is also adding to households' uncertainty. More than half of Czechs see winters as increasingly unpredictable, making it harder to plan energy consumption. Only a fifth of respondents have noticed milder and shorter winters, which reduce heating costs. Experts therefore advise monitoring consumption on an ongoing basis. According to the survey, three-quarters of Czechs check their consumption at least occasionally, and a third do so regularly.

"It is understandable that people are worried about rising energy prices. However, when trying to save, households should start by checking the price they pay for electricity and gas. If they are paying an unnecessarily high price, cutting back will not help, and they will continue to spend more on energy than they need to. Securing a better price is therefore a crucial step for every household and can help lower bills without compromising the warmth and comfort of the home," said Roman Šmíd, commercial director at epet.