About 37% of Czechs are heating their homes less because of energy prices

Almost 37 percent of Czechs are lowering the temperature in their homes because of energy prices. Compared with the past, most have turned down the heating by about two degrees, while 11 percent have lowered it by as much as four degrees. Czech households most commonly now heat their homes to 20 to 22 degrees. This is according to a survey by Ipsos for epet. Experts say a healthy indoor temperature during the day is between 18 and 24 degrees.

„Wholesale energy prices are lower than last winter, yet a large part of the Czech population continues to save energy,“ said epet sales director Roman Šmíd, commenting on the survey results.

Some members of the public are therefore planning to invest in more efficient heating systems. Šmíd noted in this context that almost 11 percent of Czech households still use environmentally unfriendly and, above all, uneconomical heating sources such as electric space heaters or storage heaters. „Saving money does not have to mean simply lowering the temperature at home. Investing in a more efficient and environmentally friendly heating source, such as a heat pump or a modern gas boiler, can also bring significant savings,“ he said.

However, experts say that excessive energy saving may not pay off, as prolonged exposure to low temperatures can negatively affect human health. According to most experts, the ideal daytime temperature in a home is around 22 degrees.

„Temperatures that are too low can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of catching a cold or developing respiratory illnesses. According to WHO recommendations, indoor temperatures should be between 18 and 24 degrees. For good-quality sleep, however, lower temperatures are preferable, as they help maintain optimal thermoregulation when body temperature drops during sleep,“ said Jakub Křížek, a doctor at Nymburk Hospital.

The survey also found that Czechs most commonly use natural gas for heating, with almost a third doing so. A nearly equal number of households use so-called purchased heat, supplied through a district heating system or a block or building boiler room. The third most common heating source is solid alternative fuels, preferred by more than 15 percent of respondents.

The survey was conducted in mid-October this year and involved 1068 respondents.