A recent survey conducted by the Stem company for the Zateplujeme Česko alliance reveals interesting heating habits among Czechs. The survey shows that young people, aged 18-34, tend to heat their homes to a higher temperature than pensioners. In contrast, pensioners generally heat their homes at lower temperatures.
According to the survey, half of Czechs (52%) keep their homes heated constantly or for most of the day during the winter. 36% heat their homes almost every day, while 8% do so only occasionally. The study found that heating habits depend largely on the type of housing (family house or apartment) and the degree of insulation in the home.
The survey also revealed that Czechs living in insulated family homes spent three times less on electricity for heating last winter compared to those living in non-insulated homes. Pavel Zemene, head of the Association of Polystyrene Manufacturers, advises using at least 20 cm of insulation for optimal energy savings, noting that the difference in cost compared to 10 cm of insulation is minimal in terms of construction work but significant in winter energy savings.
The need for frequent heating is directly related to the level of insulation. In fully insulated homes, there is less need for heating since heat is retained longer. For instance, in insulated prefabricated homes, 35% of residents rarely or never need to heat their homes in winter, whereas only 18% of people in non-insulated prefabricated homes can say the same.
The average temperature in Czech homes last winter was 21.5°C. Most Czechs (9 out of 10) regulate their indoor temperature, and over half (54%) use a thermostat for this purpose. When people are not at home, the temperature typically drops to 19°C.
Heating habits also vary by age. More than half (58%) of young people aged 18-49 living in family homes are accustomed to heating their homes to 22°C or higher, compared to 54% of pre-retirement age individuals and 58% of pensioners, who typically heat their homes to 21°C or lower.
In apartment buildings, over a third (36%) of people aged 18-34 heat their homes to lower temperatures (20°C or less), compared to 29% of the same age group in other apartments and 19% in family homes.
