Romanians prefer temperatures above standard in apartments, but are reluctant when it comes to investing in renewing thermal comfort equipment, according to a new Ariston study.
Around 72% of those interviewed said they prefer ambient temperatures above 21°C, and one in five believes that the ideal threshold should be above 24°C, above the ASRO (Romanian Standardization Association) standards, which recommends 20°C as the ideal home temperature in Romania. Over 60% of thermal power plants in Romania are older than 5 years, and one in ten plants is over 15 years old. In contrast, green technologies are gaining ground: over half of respondents (52%) say they would make the transition to a heat pump now, if they benefited from subsidies or financing schemes.
The survey also shows that 42% of respondents have already reduced the temperature in their homes for lower energy consumption, more environmentally friendly, but also to obtain lower bills in the cold season. Another 25% say they will do so starting this winter, while 33% have no intention of making any changes in terms of thermal comfort.
On the other hand, the answers provided in the survey conducted at the request of Ariston confirm that the thermal power plant fleet in Romania is rather outdated – one in ten thermal power plants is over 15 years old, and one in five is over 10 years old, given that experts point out that the average lifespan of a thermal power plant is 8-12 years, provided that regular verification operations are carried out. However, the data shows that only a third of respondents (32%) check their boilers according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, while 13% say they have not done and do not intend to do any maintenance.
And when it comes to renewing their boiler fleet, Romanians seem reserved – 70.52% say they do not plan to change their boilers in the future, while only 11% plan to purchase a new boiler in the next two years and 18% are considering such a decision in the next 2-5 years.
Of those considering changing their boiler, 76% plan to choose a boiler, while 14% want to make the transition to a heat pump. Only 4% of respondents say they would reconnect to the centralized heating system. Interestingly, the answers of those interviewed change when subsidies are discussed. Thus, 52% say they would make the transition to a heat pump now, if they benefited from subsidies or financing schemes, which confirms that the significant initial investment represents the main impediment to the transition to this new technology. Only 19% say they are willing to take out a bank loan to purchase a state-of-the-art heating plant or a heat pump.
“This is the fourth year that Ariston has conducted extensive research on the Romanian market in order to better understand how consumers relate to thermal comfort and trends in this area. As in previous editions, we find that the appetite for increased thermal comfort is maintained, as well as the open attitude towards innovative solutions, such as heat pumps. On the other hand, the financial aspect continues to be the main obstacle in the energy transition, which is understandable, given the challenging economic conditions. Therefore, financial support in the form of subsidies or advantageous financing schemes remains essential for more consumers to be able to make the transition to more energy-efficient technologies, with reduced long-term costs and with minimal impact on the environment”, commented Cătălin Drăguleanu, Head of East Europe Southern Countries, Ariston Group.
The survey also showed that there is a clear consensus among respondents on the advantages of central heating: an overwhelming majority, 76.17%, particularly appreciate the fact that they provide both hot water and heat at all times. As for heat pumps, respondents mention among the main advantages factors such as reduced consumption and lower bills compared to central heating; the ability to provide hot water, heat and cold air at the same time, reduced polluting emissions, the possibility of installation in areas without gas connections.
When it comes to the EU’s CO2 emission reduction obligations and targets, 63.6% of respondents say they are not aware of them. Only 20.67% know that by 2030 all new buildings in the EU will have to be zero-emission, and by 2050 this standard will be extended to all existing buildings.
