Czech heating season was warmest in more than 60 years, heat consumption 15% lower

The heating season, which is slowly drawing to a close, was the warmest in more than 60 years. This has already been reflected in consumption so far, which was 15 percent below the 10-year average from last September to this March. The Czech Heating Association told the Czech News Agency (ČTK). The savings are likely to increase further, and heating plants in some places may suspend supplies in the coming days if the weather is warm.

„Very warm weather has significantly reduced the need for heat during the heating season. With average consumption of 18.5 gigajoules (GJ) of heat from September to the end of March, weather-related savings amount to 2.5 gigajoules of heat per apartment. Depending on the price of heat, this could mean savings of more than CZK 2000 per apartment,“ said Martin Hájek, executive director of the Czech Heating Association.

It was clear from the start that this would be one of the warmest heating seasons on record. Heating began in mid-October, a month later than usual. Total consumption savings are also likely to increase, as heating plants expect the season to end early in light of current weather developments. „If the current weather forecast holds, heating will also probably be suspended in many places from the beginning of next week, further reducing heat consumption compared with normal levels,” Hájek said.

By the end of April, households in Czechia connected to district heating should receive their final heat consumption bills for last year. According to the association, last year was also exceptionally warm during the heating period. Comparing heating periods since 1961, it was the second warmest, after 2014. The association said most households could therefore expect refunds of overpayments if their advance payments were set correctly. In addition to the mild weather, lower prices at gas-fired heating plants should also help, following their response last year to falling natural gas prices.

Under a decree issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the heating season runs from the beginning of September to the end of May. Heating can be suspended or reduced earlier if the average outdoor temperature rises above 13 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days and no drop in temperature is expected.

Although the average temperature exceeded 13 degrees in many places over Easter, heat supplies are continuing for now, as temperatures have fallen again. Meteorologists are forecasting further warming over the weekend, so heating plants are likely to suspend heating in some places at the beginning of next week, according to the association. The association also noted, however, that heating will automatically resume if temperatures fall, and the heating season will end at the end of May.