#LatestNewsCzechia As you probably know, the energy crisis in Czechia isn’t going away anytime soon. And with the heating season starting earlier this year, things might get financially difficult for some households. This article sums up how the Czech government is fighting energy poverty and what you can do at home to stay warm without going bankrupt.

Make sure to dress warm and drink plenty of hot liquids instead of overheating your apartment.

 

What’s going on?

In our previous articles here and here, we’ve already explained what all is behind inflation and the energy crisis in Czechia. But what’s the current situation? 

Heating season has already started all over the country and heating stations are preparing to also raise their prices. To conserve energy and save money, temperatures may be going down in multiple institutions if approved by the government. The Ministry of Trade and Industry proposed that this winter, schools and kindergartens should lower temperatures to 19 degrees Celsius in classrooms. Temperature should also go down to 20 and in doctor’s offices, hospital rooms, and operation rooms. Waiting rooms should go down to 18 degrees. 

If you’re getting a hotel (or any other accommodation) in Czechia, make sure to dress warmly, because hotel rooms are also going down to 18 degrees.

Additionally, according to fresh news, temperature in offices should do down to 18 degrees and on essembly lines down to 16 degrees.

 

 

Capping of energy prices

The government passed a measure adjusting the price of electricity per kWh. The new maximum is now 6 CZK per kWh including VAT (excluding distribution prices). Gas is also capped, at 3 CZK per kWh including VAT (excluding distribution prices). This capping of prices should be noticeable in your energy payments in November.

Thanks to this adjustment, households should save ten thousands of crowns. The Czech TV also published some examples of how this capping by the government can help households. Here’s one of them, focused on electricity usage:

 

• If your usual usage is 1.9 MWh/year and you paid 1 140 CZK/month in 2020, your new price in 2023 will be 1 508 CZK/month. Without the capping, the price would be 3 199 CZK/month. Thus, the capping is saving you 1 690 CZK/month.

 

• If you also use electricity for hot water, your usual usage is 4.37 MWh/year and you paid 2 323 CZK/month in 2022, your new price in 2023 will be 2 992 CZK/month. Without the capping, the price would be 6 873 CZK/month. Thus, the capping is saving you 3 881 CZK/month.

 

• If you use electricity for hot water as well as heating, your usual usage is 10.46 MWh/year and you paid 4 486 CZK/month in 2022, your new price in 2023 will be 6 133 CZK/month. Without the capping, the price would be 15 419 CZK/month. Thus, the capping is saving you 9 285 CZK/month.

 

Gas prices influenced by the capping:

• If you use gas for cooking and your usual usage is 0.42 MWh/year and you paid 247 CZK/month in 2022, your new price in 2023 will be 283 CZK/month. Without the capping, the price would be 408 CZK/month. Thus, the capping is saving you 124 CZK/month.

 

• If you use gas for cooking as well as hot water and your usual usage is 4.67 MWh/year and you paid 815 CZK/month in 2022, your new price in 2023 will be 1 559 CZK/month. Without the capping, the price would be 2 936 CZK/month. Thus, the capping is saving you 1 378 CZK/month.

 

• If you use gas for heating and your usual usage is 20.1 MWh/year and you paid 2 784 CZK/month in 2022, your new price in 2023 will be 5 993 CZK/month. Without the capping, the price would be 11 913 CZK/month. Thus, the capping is saving you 5 920 CZK/month.

 

Tips on saving energy

• If you use electricity for heating, we recommend saving money by using your heating and appliances during off-peak times when electricity is cheaper. You can learn about time of use tariffs here.
• If you own your apartment, consider exchanging your electric stove for an induction stove.
• Consider exchanging older kitchen appliances for newer models.
• Defrost your fridge. This can cut your electricity cost by 10% per millimeter.
• Use your washer and dryer less often and do bigger loads.
• Put up some curtains and lay down fuzzy carpets as they both keep warmth. This should cut your heating costs by 13%.
• Dress warmly in the apartment and drink plenty of hot liquids rather than cranking the heat up.

We will report on this topic further as it develops. In the meantime, try out some of our tips to save electricity and subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated on the situation.

Image source: pexels.com
Article sources: ct24, ct24, ct24, reuters, Hospodářské noviny