2023-12-21 22:26:32
Energy prices have fallen significantly compared to last winter, but the Dutch remain frugal. The thermostat is a degree lower again and we still take shorter showers than two years ago. Saving even more than last year is not possible.
Since the heating season started, household gas consumption has been 20 to 25 percent lower than two years ago, energy supplier Vattenfall notes. We are saving about as much as last winter, when we hit an energy crisis and prices skyrocketed. But even now that energy rates have fallen again, the Dutch are continuing their saving behavior.
“We hear from customers that they had to save on gas consumption last year. Now that need is less, but they continue with it anyway,” says Vattenfall manager Heleen Boer. “They have become accustomed to turning the heater down one degree and taking a slightly shorter shower. They also want to avoid being surprised when the annual bill comes.”
Last year’s cost-saving measures are also continuing to work. “If people have put foil behind the radiators or installed a hybrid heat pump, consumption will also be lower this year.”
Boer says that the heater was turned on a little later this year (October 14 instead of the beginning of October) because that month started quite warm. The time when the most gas was consumed so far is the night of December 2 to 3. Then the temperature dropped below zero and many Dutch people may have celebrated Pakjesavond.
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Keep a close eye on consumption
Vattenfall sees that customers are still very conscious about their energy consumption. Last winter, the number of visits to the consumption overview tripled. Now that is a fraction less, but consumers still take a look more often than two winters ago.
Boer regularly speaks to customers who have started to take small measures to save money by tracking their consumption. “They close curtains at night, keep doors closed, and only heat rooms they use. People are less likely to take major measures such as purchasing a heat pump or (triple) double glazing.”
No more room for savings
In the overviews, customers will see that they hardly save any extra compared to last winter. How does that happen? They may be less motivated because energy prices are lower than last winter. Or the stretch is out. Boer: “Last year was an extreme year and people made extreme cuts. Some were even left out in the cold for fear of a high bill. Now people have learned how to save money.”
Ultimately, this winter’s savings behavior saves money compared to last year, due to lower energy prices. But energy is still not nearly as affordable as it was in 2021. That is why, despite the savings in gas consumption, it is probably still slightly more expensive than two years ago.
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