Czech Statistical Office: Two-thirds of Czech households live in insulated homes, 91% have replaced their windows

Two-thirds of households in Czechia live in an insulated home. Nine in ten households have replaced their windows with double- or triple-glazed ones. The number of households that have taken these energy-saving measures has risen slightly over the past two years. Last year, households spent an average of 61 percent of their monthly housing costs on electricity, heat, gas and fuels. The Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) has published data on living conditions.

People previously used support from the New Green Savings programme for energy-saving renovations. Applications are no longer being accepted. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) said a week ago, however, that the project was a good one and the government would look for funding for it.

Statisticians have surveyed living conditions in Czechia every spring since 2005. Last year, 8,500 households took part. They also answered questions about their housing. One question concerned renovations to improve energy efficiency.

"More than two-thirds of households said they had insulated their façade, roof or floor. As for replacing old, draughty windows with new ones with better thermal insulation, it is clear that the vast majority of Czech households already have double- or triple-glazed windows. These energy-saving renovations have gradually become slightly more common since 2023," statistician Simona Měřinská said.

There are 4.59 million households in Czechia. Of these, 56 percent live in apartment buildings, just under 44 percent in detached houses and around half a percent in other types of buildings. Last year, 67.3 percent of households had insulated façades, roofs or floors, compared with 65.6 percent in 2023. A total of 91.1 percent of households had double- or triple-glazed windows, up from 87.8 percent in 2023.

Last year, households spent an average of 8,897 korunas a month on housing, or 15.9 percent of their net income. Electricity cost an average of 2,698 korunas, gas 1,415 korunas, heat and hot water 933 korunas, and fuels 369 korunas. These items accounted for almost 61 percent of average monthly housing costs.

Households in Prague have the highest average housing costs. They pay almost 2,000 korunas more than the nationwide average. Average costs amount to 10,872 korunas, or 17.4 percent of a family's net income. Energy accounts for half of their expenditure.

According to its website, the New Green Savings programme has supported 374,000 projects in apartment and detached houses. Applicants received 86 billion korunas for energy-saving renovations. The average grant was 230,000 korunas.

In its policy statement, Babiš's government pledges to support modern technologies and energy savings. Environment Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists) said in January that there was no funding for the New Green Savings programme and that it needed to be revised. The announcement drew criticism. A week ago, the prime minister said on Nova television that the programme was very good for people, helped them reduce costs and also supported investment, so the government would want to bring it back and look for funding. The opposition Christian Democrats have called on people to sign a petition to preserve the programme.