Turn down your thermostats – A contribution to overcoming the European gas crisis? The example of Germany

Abstract

Europe's current gas crisis requires rapid government intervention to curtail natural gas consumption and mitigate expenses for consumers. This study aims to comprehensively assess the impact of adjusting thermostats, with single-family houses in Germany serving as a case study. A unique bottom-up approach for approximating gas consumption at the level of building archetypes reveals that decreasing temperature setpoints from 21 °C to 19 °C and 17 °C can save about 14 and 30 TWh/a of gas, respectively. This corresponds to 3–6 % of gas imports from Russia to Germany in 2020. The largest absolute savings can be realized in older and larger buildings. Additionally, our findings suggest that the adjustment of thermostats may decrease residential CO2 emissions by 3–6 Mt/a, achieved through a reduction of 2–4 °C in the setpoint. Therefore, the measure shows great promise regardless of the present crisis. From the consumer's perspective, a 1 °C temperature reduction can lead to a gas bill reduction of 4–9 %, contingent upon building type. Nevertheless, the cost burden associated with rising gas prices surpasses these savings. Residents of older buildings suffer more severe financial impacts than those in newer ones. Our research suggests that policymakers should consider implementing adjustments to residential thermostats. Furthermore, consumer financial assistance programs should factor in building type when designing relief mechanisms.