With gas prices rising, many are trying to reduce their energy consumption.
(Photo: dpa)
In view of the tense gas supply situation, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck also called on citizens to save energy. An appeal that has also reached one or the other Handelsblatt reader.
Some people are increasingly cycling. One reader also reports that when he does use the car, he now drives more slowly in order to consistently save fuel. Other Handelsblatt readers want to move away from gas for heating. One reader writes: “My 14 solid cubic meters of wood may be enough for the coming winter.” Some others would like to switch to a heat pump. But that’s not as easy as one reader reports: “Unfortunately, heat pumps are not available at the moment, nor are the craftsmen.”
But not every reader sees the responsibility of the population: “Of course, the problems are in the hands of politicians, because the gas crisis was caused by bad decisions by politicians,” writes one reader. “I also don’t want to be given ‘good’ advice from politicians,” reports another reader.
We have put together a selection for you from the various letters from the Handelsblatt readership:
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Our contribution to fighting the gas crisis
“By the end of 2021 we had already decided to replace the gas heating with a heat pump system, which switches on when the existing solar system does not provide enough heat. The system has been ordered and will go into operation this year.
I’ve been off the gas for months. Hot water is only available with solar energy. This is our contribution to combating the gas crisis.”
Franz A Roski
I am increasingly thinking about saving energy in all areas
“I think most of us can easily save 15 percent of our energy consumption. I have taken the following measures:
- I use my car as little as possible and ride my bike even more.
- When I use the car, I now drive slowly and consistently save fuel, especially on long motorway journeys.
- I turned the room temperature down.
- I use less water … especially less hot water, for example by having the lever on the mixer tap set to cold water.
- I turn on the light less often and use LED technology more.
Basically, I am increasingly thinking about saving energy in all areas.”
Henrik Dorrig
In the end, it’s a break-even analysis
“Indeed, I’m considering switching from gas to a heat pump… In the end, it’s a break-even analysis that’s certainly not just driven by objective motivations (electricity is the last thing to stop flowing and eventually maybe it’s actually only green!?) … Who knows?
Yes … and I also have ‘wood in front of the hut’ … but not just for a few months.”
Gregory Wies
Conjure up energy with everything we have
“Of course, the problems are in the hands of politicians, because the gas crisis unnecessarily arose from poor political decisions. Just thinking about how the cheeks were puffed up and the threat of a gas embargo made me shudder! The rumor about extending the lifetime of nuclear power plants is also completely wrong. We have to create energy with everything we have, otherwise it’s not just the lights that go out here. Point!”
Thomas Staggemeier
>> Read about this: Apartments or industry? Habeck’s approach to gas distribution is polarizing
An electric heater for emergencies
“We bought an electric heater for emergencies. Otherwise we support the demand of the Left Party (and the libertarians in the USA) to finally end these nonsensical sanctions.”
Rainer Kromarek
My contribution to saving energy? Unfortunately nothing!
“I and my family wanted to replace the old oil heating system with an efficient heat pump and a PV system by tearing down our old house and building a new one this year. Unfortunately, our almost complete plans failed due to the suspension of the efficiency house subsidy by Mr. Habeck and Mr. Lindner. The remaining support from the quality seal for sustainable building is no longer transparent for me as a builder-owner and is far too complicated due to the vague specifications, the constant changes and the need to consult other so-called experts. In addition, we are now running out of costs and interest on loans due to inflation.
In this respect, my contribution to saving energy is unfortunately: nothing.”
Thomas Pohl
From full washing machines to balcony panels
“1. We’ve ordered an electric car (we’ve been waiting since January), want a heat pump (still hesitating because of the overloaded energy advice) and will order balcony panels (but we don’t have them right now).
2. The heating is turned down by one degree in autumn.
3. Only full washing machines are washed.
4. We ride short distances in the village by bike (motorcycle or bicycle).
5. Driving a bus in the flat country is a heavier impertinence than anything else because of the schedule.”
Christiane Eckhardt
No “good” advice from politicians
“In my opinion, our gas shortage is in the hands of the politicians. What we have achieved with our sanctions against Russia and the shutdown of Nord Stream 2 has long been seen. Our problems are homemade.
Politicians were elected and paid to protect citizens from harm, not to impoverish citizens. Nor do I want to be given ‘good’ advice from politicians. Every citizen is responsible for himself and probably does everything to save energy.
Mr. Habeck, Ms. Baerbock and Mr. Scholz will not go to a gym because they are cold and cannot pay their bills. Preaching water and drinking wine is just as wrong as blaming the war between Russia and Ukraine.
What I miss is: What are politicians doing to prevent a gas shortage? In Germany we have every opportunity for a reasonable energy policy. Ideology and reality don’t always go together!”
Cornelia Brink
Escape to the Canary Islands in winter
“Our neighbors always fly to the Canary Islands in winter, they will stay there longer in winter 2022/2023. The best saving is a heater in emergency mode. Both finance the extension of their vacation partly with the total of 600 euros from the energy subsidy.
Now I’m already waiting for the tourism industry and the low-cost airlines to advertise the same thing.”
Johannes Kleinschnittger
To be prepared when reality catches up with me
“’The dogs bite the last one’ says a German proverb – ‘We try to irrigate even the last meadow with less water’, the politicians murmur when they talk about energy and mean the citizens.
My 14 solid cubic meters of wood may be enough for the coming winter – but by 2025 at the latest I will have to decommission my good old wood-burning stove, because then it will no longer comply with the particulate matter ordinance.
Is it realistic to make at least a five-digit, long-term investment in promising heating systems if I counteract the risks of inflation, delivery delays, pandemics and the war in Ukraine? I’m already practicing unfamiliar measures to save money, water and energy in order to be prepared when reality catches up with me…”
Achim Landherr
Hot water is no longer available 24/7
“We have reduced gas consumption. Hot water is no longer available 24/7. We are planning a hybrid system: heat pump plus gas. Unfortunately, heat pumps are not available at the moment, nor are the craftsmen. As with the solar industry, our politicians will work towards the technology being adopted by China.”
Hartmut Kuhn
The population can do almost nothing
“The population can do almost nothing. Maybe save a little. But since no one wants to do without, no one wants to freeze or reduce electricity by no longer using their electrical devices (TV, PC, smartphone, washing machine, etc.), this will not reduce energy consumption and prices very much.
The government’s ‘tinkering’ with the symptoms of inflation, such as petrol price discounts, bonus payments to individual sections of the population and much more, only costs money and is useless. You have to fight inflation, and that’s the only thing you’re not doing, because the ECB, but also our government, is afraid of getting Europe’s states into financial difficulties. ”
Jurgen Wachholz
Of course, the heating has long since been switched off
“Of course, the heating has long since been switched off. Solar panels produce hot water. Zero gas consumption and zero emissions from Easter to autumn helps the climate, is easily feasible and of course much better than no gas in winter. I hope this helps to fill the gas tanks and to hibernate at a room temperature of 19 degrees.”
Johannes L. Grondinger von Steinsdorff
If you would like to have your say on this topic in the Handelsblatt, write us a comment, either by e-mail [email protected] or on Instagram at @handelsblatt.
More: There are many ideas to mitigate the high inflation. In the past week, the Handelsblatt readership has been debating which ones make the most sense and why.