How can Germany save even more energy?

Households and industry have recently saved less gas. From the point of view of Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency, the efforts to do this should increase again, he told the German Press Agency this week. He urges all consumers to continue to use gas very sparingly. We therefore asked the Handelsblatt readers what else Germany could do to save energy and whether they think it is necessary at all given the well-stocked gas storage facilities.

At least there is no shortage of energy-saving ideas. One reader sees the current Christmas markets “with all the lamps, lights and fairground rides” critically and as energy destroyers. Another reader sees it similarly, who even goes one step further and would ban all non-essential events.

Some also see savings potential in other accessible buildings. “In public buildings (e.g. court) or when visiting customers in companies, I often notice heated toilets with tilted windows or hot water for washing hands,” reports one reader. Another reader criticizes the “mostly open shop doors” in “much too much heated department stores”. This makes it difficult for him to believe “that the current much-described state of the nation has also arrived in all heads of the nation”.

Some readers have already made restrictions for themselves. For example, some have lowered their heating, wear warm clothing or shower a little colder. In order to save more gas, one reader suspects that there is a lack of feedback for consumers. Large consumers could see their consumption figures every day, whereas a consumer would not go down into the basement and read consumption every week.

However, the past price increases seem to be having an effect on some people. For example, one reader writes: “The extremely high price of natural gas alone is forcing my family to save.”

We have put together a selection for you from the letters from the Handelsblatt readers.

Inner cities offer savings potential

“You only have to walk through the German inner cities at the moment to see an enormous potential for savings. The popular German Christmas market with all its lamps, lights and fairground rides is an enormous and at the same time unnecessary energy waster. The public saunas and indoor pools would also have to close if the threat is so serious.

On the one hand, politicians are calling for modern LED-powered company logos to be switched off, for example, and they are not willing to implement what is necessary on their own responsibility.”
Axel Haubrok

Much more is possible, even if it is not comfortable

“At home we have our heating (gas-generated district heating) set to 18 degrees and with a timer (morning/evening) and use warm clothes/blankets on the couch. In public buildings (e.g. court) or when visiting customers in companies, I often notice heated toilets with tilted windows or hot water for washing hands.

Much more is possible, even if it is not comfortable. The discussion with others shows that the understanding is not so universal, precisely because reference is always made to the gas storage tanks. How long does this stock last would be better information.”
Alexandra Haindl

>> Read about this: That is why there is more gas in the storage tanks than indicated

The situation has not yet reached everyone’s mind

“A full gas storage tank is about as worth preserving as a chocolate birthday cake. Please don’t get me wrong, saving is and will remain important and right.

However, when I amble through the mostly open shop doors and customers who are far too heated for winter jackets in the department stores, I sometimes find it difficult to believe that the current much-discussed state of the nation has actually gotten into everyone’s mind. I think it would be much better if the light was switched off in the well-heated administration hall.”
John C. Sattelberger

The prices force you to save

“The extremely high prices for natural gas alone are forcing my family to save. If we still had a consumption of 57,000 kWh in 2021, we reduced this to 38,000 kWh in 2022, even though our old contract price is still valid until December 31, 2022.

In order to prepare for the extreme change from January 1st, 2023, we have already switched to a maximum room temperature of 19 degrees, and some of our rooms are no longer heated. The costs from 2023 have quadrupled. The consumption planning is now at 30,000 kWh.”
Bernd Nauschnegg

There is no feedback

“There is no feedback to consumers. While large consumers can see their numbers every day, this does not work in the home. Consumers neither go down into the basement every week and read the gas meter, nor do they have financial feedback, the annual statement will only come in six months. Creative ideas are called for here.”
Gerd Müller

Target homeowners and businesses

“The federal and state governments should implement more joint concepts and strengthen their cooperation in order to specifically address homeowners and companies. Offer proactive support, how they can get short-term help with the implementation of savings and how they can switch from gas to renewable energies in the medium term.

In order to achieve our climate goals and with a view to winter 2024, it is more than urgent to switch from gas to renewable energies. For our existing family home, a heat pump and a photovoltaic system will go into operation at the beginning of 2024, despite a shortage of craftsmen and supply bottlenecks.

We will have to struggle with the scarcity of resources for implementing the transformation for at least the next five years. Let’s work together to implement the climate targets that have been set as quickly as possible.”
Bernd Damkowski

Cooking, heating, showering

“I switched the kitchen stove to electric. The room temperature lowered by one degree. When you’re away, the heating is switched off completely. Showers also very sparingly and at a slightly lower temperature.”
Arthur Kampe

Forbid events with high energy requirements

“If we really expect an energy crisis – which can no longer be ruled out given the scaremongering that is currently circulating – the legislature could and should have reacted accordingly: all non-essential events with high energy requirements (Christmas markets, mass events…) should have been banned.

In my opinion, the argument that specific economic segments have suffered as a result counts far less than the high costs to be expected in the event of even temporary blackouts.

Yesterday’s report also proved that Germany has thoroughly messed up the energy turnaround announced so boldly by Ms. Merkel: Germany is paying more than ever to wind power operators for not purchasing electricity generated with wind energy because the necessary infrastructure is missing – a greater indictment of poverty for the German ability to perform cannot be issued.

If the energy transition had really been wanted, all companies, the public sector and the private sector would have had to invest significantly more in alternative energies starting eleven years ago – a clear sign that this was neglected can be seen when you look at public buildings and their share in the generation of solar energy.”
Herman Gunnel

>> Read about this: This is how you effectively reduce your gas consumption

Please do nothing more!

“In response to your question ‘What else can the federal and state governments do to save more energy?’ one would like to shout: ‘Please do nothing, absolutely nothing at all!’ We will probably only be able to really measure the price for the hubris of the federal government in a decade, because the worst thing is not the current programs, but the dam bursting in the minds of the people involved.

This breach of the dam is the misconception that we can patch up all conceivable challenges that the climate crisis and the war in Ukraine pose us with money and even more money, while at the same time abandoning trust in the market.

Not only has gas quotas been bought in an amateurish manner at far inflated prices, does the gas price brake prevent any incentive for consumers to save something themselves, since Chancellor Scholz has promised everyone that one will not ‘walk alone’.

The current outside temperatures show us, however, that winter can once again live up to its name, which will continue to increase the largely fully-financed consumption and cause the gas reserves to drop at lightning speed.

But the above call for the government to ‘please take no further action’ will go just as unheeded as hubris continues to thrive.”
Oliver Dange

hole in the household budget

“The debate about the gas storage tanks misses a certain percentage of the population, who do not have to pay the increased gas prices, but who do not benefit from the relief despite the general increase in prices because they heat with oil, like me.

In February, shortly after the start of the war, my oil was running out – just before the price for 100 liters was 69 euros. I paid more than twice as much for half and now again in winter I have to pay 155 euros per 100 liters.

That tears a big hole in the household budget. The result is less for consumption and retirement provision.”
Thomas Spriegel

Change the attitude towards energy consumption fundamentally

“We won’t get anywhere if we don’t fundamentally change our attitude towards energy consumption. According to the forecast, we will probably have to reckon with cold weather for the next three winters.

It’s not just about gas and oil either, it’s also about the ecological footprint of each individual. Holiday trips that are taken for granted must be severely restricted. We have to learn to adapt our standard of living to that of poor people.”
Stephan Gerhard Jenke

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: Last week, the Handelsblatt readership debated how sensible the oil embargo and the oil price cap are.