Current survey reveals the opinion of oil heating households in Austria
Oil heating system owners are actively seeking environmentally friendly solutions, such as hybrid heating systems, and are demanding more political participation.
For the fourth time in a row, EWO’s survey, conducted in September 2024, has enjoyed an outstanding participation rate: 4,368 people participated in the current oil heating survey.
HYBRID HEATING IS HIGHLY POPULAR
The interest in hybrid heating is particularly noteworthy. While 11% of those surveyed already have a hybrid heating system, the majority of those surveyed are interested in implementing this type of heating solution. At the top of the popularity scale is the combination of oil heating with photovoltaics (34%), or a heat pump (27%), followed by the combination with solar thermal energy (14%).
SATISFACTION WITH OIL-HEATING SYSTEM CONFIRMED
The oil heating system received a top rating of 4.8 on a scale of 1 to 5. It is particularly noteworthy that 86% of those surveyed gave it the highest rating of 5 (very satisfied), while only 0.9% gave it the worst rating of 1 (not satisfied).
HOMEOWNERS FEEL INFLUENCED BY POLITICS AS REGARDS DOMESTIC HEATING
55% of the oil heating households surveyed stated that they felt (rather) strongly influenced by politics in heating matters. In the following areas, they feel that their own interests are not considered:
- maintaining the value of property with oil heating (78%)
- freedom of choice in heating system and used energy source (76%)
- consideration of individual, structural and technical conditions when replacing oil boilers (74%) and
- transparent and fair taxation of all energy sources (73%).
Also significant is the fact that 82% of those surveyed would like more information on the current legal situation regarding heating with oil. In addition, more information is needed on CO2 pricing, say around 80% of those surveyed. 69% would like more information on CO2-emissions and measures to reduce them.
CO2 TAX
In the previous EWO survey (Feb. 2024), 71% of respondents already wanted the CO2 tax to be used to promote climate-friendly liquid fuels. 27% said they considered the promotion of hybrid systems to be a suitable use. According to current results, however, only 9% have the impression that the revenue from the CO2 tax is used to promote climate protection measures. 75% feel that the CO2 tax is not social and 77% say that the amount calculated is not transparent.
EU CLIMATE TARGETS: TIME LIMIT TOO TIGHT
When asked about the feasibility of the EU goal of being CO2-free by 2050 (Green Deal), 48% of respondents said that the goal was achievable, but not within the specified time frame. In contrast, 36% believe that the goal is unachievable. 53% also expressed concerns about not being sufficiently informed about the EU's goals in the area of energy and environmental protection.
DEMANDS ON POLITICS: SECURITY OF SUPPLY, AFFORDABILITY AND FAIR TAXATION
The participants were asked which points they consider to be rather important/very important when heating with liquid fuels and which they would like to see included in the new government program (elections took place in Sept. 2024). The three most frequently mentioned demands are:
- security of energy supply (95%)
- affordability of energy (92%) and
- fair taxation of all energy sources (85%).
OIL HEATING HOUSEHOLDS WANT TO BE HEARD
The survey results show that the households surveyed regularly use instruments of citizen participation to express their concerns and interests. More than half of the oil heating households surveyed (56%) stated that they had already taken part in a referendum in the past, 22% to petitions and 14% to citizens' initiatives.
EWO CONCLUSIONS
The results of the survey clearly show that owners of oil heating systems are not only open to modern technologies but are also actively looking for more environmentally friendly and efficient heating solutions, such as hybrid systems.
EWO Managing Director Martin Reichard is pleased with the high level of participation in the survey: “We will continue to work on representing the wishes of oil heating system owners to the public and political decision makers and actively participate in the search for innovative solutions for the energy transition. The demands on politicians are clear: maintaining the proven infrastructure to avoid unnecessary financial burdens. This will simultaneously ensure the security of energy supply and counteract overloads on supply networks.” In addition, oil heating households want more information and transparency from politicians.
23 December 2024
