In 2023, European Union households reduced energy use. According to those reports, they managed to cut overall usage by an astonishing 4.9%. This is the second consecutive year of lower energy use, after an 8% decline in 2022. In 2023, EU households used 9.6 million TJs of energy. This is a drop from 10.1 million terajoules the prior year.
Modernizing practices and technology in how we heat our homes and water was the main contributor to this decline. This heating alone represented roughly 77.6% of all the final energy used by households this year. As a nation we’ve brought down household energy use by an enviable 33 percent. This change is an indicator of wider trends in energy consumption fed by economic factors, energy efficiency efforts, and changing consumer habits.
Energy Consumption Trends
The drop in household energy consumption is significant even when considering a long-term historical perspective. Household energy usage reached a record high in 2021. It was the first time since 2009 where subsequent years have been able to match that achievement. This marked the first major break from that trend, a sign that households may be making a long-term change in how they use energy.
So far this year consumers have reduced their energy consumption by 4.9%. Last year’s jaw-dropping 8% cut indicates that they are serious about reducing their energy footprint to the smallest size possible. The cumulative effect of these reductions highlights the growing awareness and implementation of energy-saving practices within homes throughout the region.
Additionally, this novel picture of energy consumption is not homogeneous for all EU countries. While some nations have reported decreased energy use for space cooling, lighting, and electrical appliances, others have seen little to no change. This varied terrain makes the task both a challenge and an opportunity for state or local policymakers looking to increase energy efficiency in sometimes very different contexts.
Space Heating and Water Heating
One of the biggest contributions to the overall decline in household energy consumption is the large drop in energy used for space heating. This trend has led to remarkable improvements in energy use. This sector by itself is hugely influential on how much energy households need in total. Most of the citizens we’ve visited have already invested in more efficient heating systems. Some have even found new ways to maintain a warm and inviting home without the energy waste.
From households – insulating their homes better, avoiding using energy-hog appliances. They are going beyond these common improvements and embracing alternative heating technologies to make their homes more energy efficient. These strategic changes offset higher energy bills, saving customers overall. Beyond improving access to opportunity, these projects work towards national environmental priorities by decreasing carbon emissions and furthering sustainable practices.
Water heating, meanwhile, continues to be one of the largest household energy uses. EVs are allowing households to be more intentional about their energy use. In fact, they’re fully committed to and seriously pursuing effective and efficient solutions for heating water, which saves even more total energy use.
Regional Variations in Energy Use
Household energy use is decreasing in old and new EU members alike. At the same time, every country has responded in very different ways. A few countries have aggressively pursued policies that encourage increased energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy alternatives, but many others have not.
Countries with strict laws limiting fossil fuels invest more in renewable sources and see dramatic reductions in total energy use. They stand to gain more from energy-efficient technologies. Areas dependent on fossil fuels or with outdated infrastructure find it more difficult to reduce energy consumption in homes. As a result, they encounter persistent barriers to realizing energy efficiency.
As EU policymakers and stakeholders continue to review these trends, they should keep in mind the varying situations among EU member states. Tailored approaches that account for regional differences will be essential in driving future reductions in household energy consumption while ensuring equitable access to sustainable energy solutions.