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Eurogas: Energy Survey
October 2019
Sample Method Fieldwork dates Interpretation
2
Methodology
ComRes surveyed 11,859
adults aged 16+ across 13 EU
member states:
The survey was conducted
online and over the phone,
translated into each of the
national languages.*
Fieldwork took place between
16th and 27th August 2019.*
Quotas were applied to ensure
the data is representative by
age, gender and region.
For sample sizes of less than
100, these have been marked
with a * as results should be
considered indicative rather
than conclusive.
In the context of the upcoming European Parliamentary elections, Eurogas commissioned
ComRes to conduct consumer research to better understand consumers’ preferred
heating choices and appetites for various energy resources.
Country Base
France, Finland, Greece, Italy, Latvia,
Netherlands, Poland, Romania, UK
1000 per
country
Germany 1006
Ireland 750
Luxembourg* 101
Spain 1002* In Luxembourg, the survey was conducted via CATI between 16th September and 6th October 2019.
3
Executive summary
4
Executive Summary:
Heating in the home
Sources of heating vary across the 13 markets surveyed. In Finland and Latvia, district
heating is most common, in Germany, collective heating is most common. For all
other nations including the United Kingdom, Ireland and Spain, individual heating is
much more prevalent.
There are also large variations in types of heating. Whereas in the UK and Italy most
people have use a gas boiler, in Latvia and Finland wood burners are more common.
Unsurprisingly, in those countries where collective and district heating is the most
common many people do not have any of the types of heating that tested in the
research.
Despite this variation in current heating usage, there is greater uniformity in the ways
consumers are willing to heat their homes. Across all European countries, solar power
is the most popular option. This is followed by natural gas, which, in 9 out of the 13
countries surveyed, people are more willing to use as a form of heating than
electricity.
Luxembourg
22%
8%
55%
17%
10%
11%
7%
45%
14%
40%
31%
13%
11%
17%
20%
13%
52%
21%
6%
15%
15%
12%
15%
13%
9%
7%
57%
70%
24%
24%
67%
79%
76%
38%
65%
45%
54%
69%
76%
5%
2%
8%
7%
3%
4%
3%
3%
9%
1%
1%
8%
6%
Average
France
Finland
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Spain
United Kingdom
District (e.g. heat from a central source is distributed to different buildings through a network of pipes)
Collective (e.g. heating is managed for an entire apartment complex)
Individual (e.g. heat generating element like a small boiler in the home)
Don't know / unsure
Sources of domestic heating, by market
Showing % who say each of the following
D6. Do you have district, collective or individual heating in your home? Base: France; Finland; Greece; Italy; Latvia; Netherlands; Poland; Romania; United Kingdom (n=1000 per country), Germany (n=1006), Spain (n=1002), Ireland (n=750), Luxembourg (n=101)
Overview: Sources of heating in homes
5% 26% 69%
6
Overview: Perceived types of heating systems at home
Q3. Which of the following, if any, do you use in your home? Base: France; Finland; Greece; Italy; Latvia; Netherlands; Poland; Romania; United Kingdom (n=1000 per country), Germany (n=1006), Spain (n=1002), Ireland (n=750) Luxembourg (n=101)
*The results shown are perceived sources of heating within homes by the respondents and may differ from statistical data. Please visit the Eurostat website for official statistics (1, 2).
Perceived types of heating system at home, by market*
Showing % who say each of the following (not showing ‘Don’t know and ‘None of the above’)
In Luxembourg, 47%
say they use a gas
boiler
Average France Finland Germany Greece Ireland Italy Latvia Netherlands Poland Romania SpainUnited
Kingdom
A gas boiler 37% 33% 1% 24% 23% 41% 69% 15% 57% 26% 42% 40% 72%
A wood burner 15% 12% 21% 11% 14% 19% 14% 32% 5% 23% 13% 8% 7%
An e lectric heat pump 13% 16% 19% 9% 20% 15% 16% 8% 8% 11% 8% 23% 8%
Solar energy 13% 8% 6% 13% 35% 12% 11% 5% 21% 12% 11% 10% 9%
An oil heater 11% 1% 6% 24% 17% 38% 3% 12% 3% 8% 6% 12% 6%
A hybrid system 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 5% 5% 2% 6% 4% 7% 4% 5%
Geothermal energy 4% 6% 11% 5% 2% 4% 4% 1% 3% 3% 5% 3% 3%
Coal boiler 4% 2% 1% 3% 7% 8% 2% 3% 3% 10% 4% 2% 3%
7
Executive Summary:
Addressing climate change
In almost all markets, people are most likely to say that national government is
responsible for addressing climate change. The exception is Latvia, where people are
most likely to say that individuals are responsible. As to whether individuals are
responsible, there is a variation among the markets. In Ireland, Latvia and the United
Kingdom, 69% say individuals are responsible for addressing climate change. In
Greece and Poland, only 45% and 46% say this, respectively.
In all countries, except Luxembourg, younger consumers (16-39) are more likely than
those aged over 60 to say that the future generation are responsible for addressing
climate change. Rarely, however, does this come down to changing their heating
system. Amongst all respondents this is low down their priority list, although younger
respondents tend to be slightly more favourable to the idea than their older
counterparts. Only in Greece and Poland do more than a quarter of people rank
changing their heating system as one of the top three actions they would be willing to
take to address climate change (32% and 40% respectively).
75%
70%
73%
76%78%
79%80%
59%
74%
77%
72%
86%
79%
64% 64%
73%
68% 68%66%
60%
43%
68%
55%
59%
71%70%
60%
57%
65%
58%
45%
69%
64%
69%
53%
46%
61%63%
69%
47%
32%
42%
58%
33%
54%
50%
35%
45%
53%
43%
56%
62%
30%32%
30%
35%
27%
33%
29%
11%
32%
24%
31% 31%
43%
Average France Finland Germany Greece Ireland Italy Latvia Netherlands Poland Romania Spain United Kingdom
National government Companies Individuals
Local councils Future generations
In Luxembourg, 75% say
the national government is
responsible for addressing
climate change
Responsibility for addressing climate change, by market
Showing % who say each of the following (not showing ‘No-one and ‘Other’)
Q1. Which of the following groups, if any, do you think is responsible for addressing climate change? Base: France; Finland; Greece; Italy; Latvia; Netherlands; Poland; Romania; United Kingdom (n=1000 per country), Germany (n=1006), Spain (n=1002), Ireland
(n=750), Luxembourg (n=101)
9
Overview: Willingness to change to reduce
climate change
Q2. Please rank the following actions in order of how willing you would be to do this to help reduce climate change, the top being the action that you are most willing to take. Base: France; Finland; Greece; Italy; Latvia; Netherlands; Poland; Romania;
United Kingdom (n=1000 per country), Germany (n=1006), Spain (n=1002), Ireland (n=750), Luxembourg (n=101)
Willingness to change, by market
Showing top 3 ranked % of actions that people are willing to do to help reduce climate change
In Luxembourg, 22% ranked
changing their heating
system as one of the top
three actions they would do
to reduce climate change.
Average France Finland Germany Greece Ireland Italy Latvia Netherlands Poland Romania SpainUnited
Kingdom
Recycle more 59% 56% 61% 42% 70% 64% 64% 63% 48% 56% 64% 67% 59%
Use less energy 47% 51% 44% 44% 50% 47% 41% 48% 41% 52% 52% 45% 46%
Buy goods that have a low
environmental footprint 39% 35% 41% 40% 44% 38% 39% 60% 19% 22% 44% 47% 34%
Insulate my home 29% 32% 14% 15% 35% 38% 30% 24% 33% 35% 37% 29% 32%
Drive less 29% 24% 31% 34% 27% 27% 43% 25% 24% 34% 23% 30% 24%
Change my heating
system 21% 19% 14% 12% 32% 21% 22% 23% 18% 40% 21% 19% 14%
Eat less meat 20% 21% 27% 26% 18% 17% 20% 11% 30% 18% 14% 18% 23%
Fly less 20% 22% 32% 34% 12% 13% 15% 13% 27% 17% 10% 16% 23%
10
Executive Summary:
Choosing a new system
Cost is the biggest factor for most consumers in every market in choosing a new
heating system. Cost of monthly bills usually comes on top, followed by cost of
installation. The exceptions are Germany, Spain and Luxembourg where
environmental friendliness ranks as the first or second most important factor.
Avoiding home renovations/building work is typically not an important factor for most
consumers across all thirteen markets. However, when it comes to upgrading to a new
system, a significant proportion of around two in five consumers in most markets say
they would be unlikely to upgrade to a more environmentally friendly system if they
have to undertake initial renovation work.
11
Overview: Importance of factors in choosing a
new system
Q4. Imagine you were choosing a new heating system. Please rank the following options in terms of how important they would be to you in choosing a new system, the top being the most important to you. Base: France; Finland; Greece; Italy; Latvia;
Netherlands; Poland; Romania; United Kingdom (n=1000 per country), Germany (n=1006), Spain (n=1002), Ireland (n=750), Luxembourg (n=101)
Importance of factors, by market
Showing of % top 3 most important factors when choosing a new system
In Luxembourg, 64% rank environmental
friendliness as one of the top three important
factors in choosing a new heating system.
Average France Finland Germany Greece Ireland Italy Latvia Netherlands Poland Romania SpainUnited
Kingdom
Cost of monthly bills 55% 50% 52% 52% 61% 59% 45% 63% 52% 55% 57% 51% 60%
Cost of installation 50% 51% 48% 40% 65% 57% 46% 54% 39% 56% 40% 49% 53%
Environmental friendliness 38% 42% 39% 49% 41% 37% 43% 29% 34% 40% 37% 39% 34%
Ease of use 30% 33% 41% 18% 24% 27% 31% 41% 29% 30% 32% 26% 32%
Ease of maintenance 30% 31% 27% 33% 25% 29% 32% 43% 21% 19% 36% 30% 28%
If subsidies are available 24% 15% 20% 26% 29% 28% 31% 13% 31% 28% 21% 28% 17%
Avoiding home
renovations / building
work 22% 18% 20% 20% 25% 20% 29% 19% 16% 25% 19% 33% 20%
Familiarity with the
system 14% 14% 10% 13% 14% 13% 14% 14% 12% 16% 23% 10% 14%
What ne ighbours or
family / friends have 5% 6% 4% 5% 8% 5% 3% 4% 6% 7% 6% 5% 5%
12
Overview: Factors that make consumers likely to
upgrade their heating system
Q5. To what extent would the following factors make you likely or unlikely to upgrade your heating system so that it is more environmentally-friendly? Base: France; Finland; Greece; Italy; Latvia; Netherlands; Poland; Romania; United Kingdom
(n=1000 per country), Germany (n=1006), Spain (n=1002), Ireland (n=750), Luxembourg (n=101)
Factors that make consumers likely to upgrade their heating system, by market
Showing % who say NET: Likely for each
In Luxembourg, 76%
are likely to upgrade
their heating system if
they have lower
monthly bills.
Average France Finland Germany Greece Ire land Italy Latvia Netherlands Poland Romania SpainUnited
Kingdom
...If I will have lower monthly bills 78% 77% 67% 71% 88% 83% 75% 77% 69% 78% 89% 85% 76%
...If the government offers me subsidies
for the change 73% 72% 61% 64% 82% 79% 74% 64% 63% 75% 85% 83% 71%
...If the new system is easy to use 65% 67% 49% 52% 70% 74% 62% 63% 55% 68% 79% 75% 64%
...If I have information on my concerns
about the new system 51% 56% 36% 38% 57% 54% 55% 43% 37% 54% 68% 67% 44%
...If the new system has a modern and
attractive design 40% 41% 29% 32% 43% 44% 38% 31% 32% 49% 56% 47% 42%
...If my current system is new but not
environmentally-friendly 34% 36% 23% 32% 36% 37% 38% 31% 24% 38% 51% 36% 33%
...If I have to undertake initial renovation
work 30% 35% 21% 26% 34% 32% 34% 23% 21% 31% 53% 31% 24%
...If I have to pay an upfront expense27% 25% 16% 22% 35% 28% 27% 21% 19% 32% 52% 30% 21%
13
Overview: Factors that make consumers unlikely
to upgrade their heating system
Q5. To what extent would the following factors make you likely or unlikely to upgrade your heating system so that it is more environmentally-friendly? Base: France; Finland; Greece; Italy; Latvia; Netherlands; Poland; Romania; United Kingdom
(n=1000 per country), Germany (n=1006), Spain (n=1002), Ireland (n=750), Luxembourg (n=101)
Importance of factors in likelihood, by market
Showing % who say NET: Unlikely for each
In Luxembourg, 46%
are unlikely to upgrade
their heating system if it
is not environmentally
friendly.
Average France Finland Germany Greece Ire land Italy Latvia Netherlands Poland Romania SpainUnited
Kingdom
...If I will have lower monthly bills 7% 8% 11% 7% 5% 6% 8% 10% 10% 7% 5% 4% 7%
...If the government offers me subsidies for
the change 8% 10% 12% 9% 6% 6% 7% 12% 12% 8% 6% 5% 8%
...If the new system is easy to use 10% 11% 16% 13% 8% 5% 10% 13% 12% 9% 8% 5% 8%
...If I have information on my concerns about
the new system 15% 15% 19% 19% 14% 13% 10% 24% 17% 11% 10% 7% 18%
...If the new system has a modern and
attractive design 22% 25% 31% 25% 22% 15% 20% 37% 22% 19% 16% 11% 16%
...If my current system is new but not
environmentally-friendly 34% 32% 40% 33% 40% 32% 28% 37% 41% 35% 22% 34% 33%
...If I have to pay an upfront expense36% 41% 41% 39% 29% 35% 32% 42% 43% 28% 20% 36% 47%
...If I have to undertake initial renovation
work 38% 33% 42% 36% 38% 40% 32% 44% 43% 33% 22% 41% 49%
14
Overview: Willingness to heat homes in alternate
ways
Q6. Would you be willing or not willing to heat your home in each of the following ways? Base: France; Finland; Greece; Italy; Latvia; Netherlands; Poland; Romania; United Kingdom (n=1000 per country), Germany (n=1006), Spain (n=1002), Ireland
(n=750), Luxembourg (n=101)
Willingness to heat homes, by market
Showing % who say they would be willing to heat their homes in each of the following ways
In Luxembourg, 65%
are willing to heat their
homes with natural
gas.
Average France Finland Germany Greece Ireland Italy Latvia Netherlands Poland Romania SpainUnited Kingdom
Hydrogen gas 31% 24% 21% 40% 33% 28% 39% 15% 42% 28% 32% 39% 31%
Natural gas 59% 50% 42% 54% 83% 60% 69% 39% 51% 59% 73% 62% 68%
Electricity 55% 57% 52% 43% 49% 64% 54% 34% 70% 51% 60% 61% 64%
Solar power 82% 74% 79% 78% 94% 82% 86% 81% 76% 88% 90% 84% 76%
Biogas 47% 36% 47% 49% 51% 44% 58% 35% 46% 54% 57% 45% 41%
Geothermal power 58% 59% 74% 51% 70% 55% 67% 40% 36% 68% 72% 56% 48%
15
Conclusions
16
Key message areas 1/2
Changing their heating system is low down the list of what most are willing to do to
help reduce climate change
This is especially the case for UK, Finnish, German, Dutch and Luxembourgish adults where it ranks
bottom on the list of actions people are willing to take. In many others - including Spain, Romania and
Latvia – it ranks below driving less.
In most countries, people are more likely to say national government and companies
are responsible for addressing climate change than individuals
This is true in Spain, Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Finland and France. Latvia is the only
country where people are most likely to say individuals are responsible for addressing climate change
(above national government and companies). In Romania, Ireland and Luxembourg adults are more likely
to say individuals are more responsible above companies
Cost (in monthly bills or installation) is the most important factor in choosing a new
heating system in nearly all countries.
In France, Italy and Germany, environmental friendliness is also important but never more so than cost in
some form. In Latvia and Finland, ease of use and maintenance rank as particularly important factors.
17
Key message areas 2/2
Many would be put off upgrading their heating system if it meant they had to
undertake significant renovation work or pay an upfront cost
Around two in five people in several markets including Spain, the Netherlands, Latvia and Ireland say they
would be unlikely to upgrade their heating system to one that is more environmentally friendly if they
have to do renovations or pay money up front.
All in all, these findings suggest that in each of the countries surveyed, there is a significant
proportion of the population who would be unwilling to make significant changes to their
heating system, especially if there are not significant financial incentives to outweigh it.
Any policy that requires replacing existing heating systems is likely to meet with inertia and resistance
from a significant minority of people.
In most countries, consumers are more likely to say they are willing to heat their
homes using gas than electricity
At least half of consumers would be willing to heat their home with natural gas in the United Kingdom,
Spain, Luxembourg, Romania, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Greece, Germany and France.
