Survey: Half of Czechs expect further energy price rises, most plan measures

Around half of Czechs expect energy prices to rise further in the future. As many as 80 percent of households are therefore planning to invest in energy-saving measures, most commonly by replacing appliances, reducing consumption or making home improvements. Even so, people are much less concerned at the start of this heating season than they were last year, and the impact of energy prices on household budgets has eased over the course of this year. This is according to an Ipsos survey for ČEZ.

After energy prices surged last year, suppliers have gradually lowered them over the course of this year. Despite this, concerns about further price rises persist. According to the survey, around half of the population expects energy prices to rise further: 14 percent expect a sharp increase, while another 35 percent anticipate a more moderate rise.

Most Czech households therefore continue to plan some form of energy-saving measure. According to the agency, around half of households have already taken at least some such steps. The most common include replacing light bulbs or other appliances with more efficient ones, saving energy, switching to solid fuels or making home improvements. Another fifth of households have a clear idea of the specific measures they will take, while a fifth have not decided what to do, and 12 percent are not planning any steps.

“Compared with the situation a year ago, we can see that things are settling down in households. Energy advance payments are no longer having such a significant impact on everyday household budgets. However, a sense of uncertainty and concerns about rising energy prices remain,” said Ipsos analyst Michal Straka.

According to ČEZ Prodej CEO Tomáš Kadlec, customer enquiries also confirm interest in energy-saving measures. “Customers are also beginning to consider more substantial investments in systematic solutions that will deliver long-term savings. They expect targeted advice from suppliers to guide them through the whole process, which is why we are preparing further improvements to our ČEZ Academy and to advisory meetings with customers at our branches,” Kadlec said. ČEZ also wants to work more closely with banks and building societies on joint solutions.

The survey also examined the impact of energy prices on household budgets. Since January, the number of customers whose suppliers have increased their energy advance payments has fallen. The amount by which payments were increased has also decreased. As a result, according to the agency, fewer households have had to cut back on some activities because of energy prices. Interest in suppliers’ fixed-price products is growing; according to the survey, 45 percent of households now prefer them.

The survey was conducted in August and September this year and included 1036 respondents.