Behind the scenes
Self-tracking: men do it for fun, while women are motivated by exercise
by Stephan Kurmann
Switzerland in energy-saving mode
13.12.2022
Translation: Katherine Martin
96% of respondents claim to be doing their bit – be it by switching off lights, not taking baths or cooking with covered pots. Women and the over-50s are the demographics heeding the federal government’s calls to conserve energy the most intently. The issue is also on the agenda in Germany and Austria, with the latter’s younger residents leading the way. These are the results of a representative survey carried out on behalf of Digitec Galaxus.
«Energy is scarce. Let’s not waste it». This is the message the Swiss Federal Council started publicising as early as the summer. What followed was a nationwide awareness campaign: energy-saving tips were illustrated on posters as thermal images, hanging displays appeared on trams and banner ads popped up online. There’s even a website dedicated to the issue.
Energy-saving tips such as swapping baths for showers or covering pots with a lid when cooking were probably on most people’s radar before the campaign. What interested us, however, was whether the Swiss population was actually putting them into practice. We also wanted to know how the drive to save energy was playing out in Germany and Austria.
Yes to saving energy: the majority of people are doing their bit
The Federal Council will be pleased to hear that fewer than 4 per cent of respondents in Switzerland said they didn’t use any energy-saving tips. The majority of the population has trained up in the art of saving energy.
Across the DACH region as a whole, people are very willing to save energy. In Germany – like in Switzerland – 96 per cent of respondents said they used energy conservation tips. In Austria, the figure is as high as 98 per cent.
Every country outperforms its neighbours regarding certain tips: Switzerland is the most likely to flip off those light switches (89%), three quarters of people in Austria cover pots with lids while cooking (73%) and in Germany, people are turning down the heating to save energy (75%).
French-speaking Switzerland has sworn off cars, German-speaking Switzerland is shutting down its devices
Let’s go back to Switzerland for a moment. Residents of the French-speaking part of the country are driving less often (40%) or using energy-saving appliances at home (41%). Meanwhile, in German-speaking Switzerland, war has been declared on standby mode: 60% of people say they consistently turn off devices when they’re not in use.
Energy-saving role models: women – and young people in Austria
The Swiss demographic that has taken energy-saving most to heart? Women aged 50-74 living in urban areas. In Germany and Austria, women are also more economical in their use of energy than men.
The survey also shows that the use of energy-saving tips in Switzerland is least prevalent among 15- to 29-year-olds. However, the younger generation is willing to take the train more often and leave the car in the garage. Although, this might also be down to the fact that a number of these respondents won’t have a driver’s licence yet or don’t own a car.
Survey participants aged between 50 and 74 proved to be the best energy-saving role models, taking on a variety of the government’s energy-saving tips. Driving and taking baths were the only activities this age cohort were less willing to give up than their younger counterparts.
What’s striking when comparing the results internationally is that 15- to 29-year-olds in Austria are especially active when it comes to saving energy. Five out of seven energy-saving tips are followed most strictly by the younger generation. In Germany, it’s older generations who’re the most economical when it comes to energy saving, with 100% of over-70s claiming to do so.
French-speaking Switzerland is kitting itself out with energy-saving products
Two thirds of Switzerland-based respondents have bought products this year which directly or indirectly save energy. LED lamps, firewood, candles and kettles were the most in demand. For example, 45% of all respondents said they had purchased LED lights this year. Respondents in Austria are the only ones buying even more energy-efficient lamps (51%).
Austria budgeting the most for energy-saving products
So, how much have our survey participants spent on energy-saving products this year? In Switzerland, 80% respondents said they’d spent up to 200 francs over the course of the year.
In Germany and Austria, around half of those asked said they’d invested between 30 and 500 euros. The percentage of those who spent over 2,000 euros or Swiss francs on energy-saving products is highest in Austria, at 6%.
French-speaking Switzerland appears to be more willing to buy energy-saving products than German-speaking Switzerland. According to the survey, those in the French-speaking part of the country bought energy-saving products more frequently than their counterparts in the German-speaking regions. Solar panels were the only product more popular among residents of German-speaking Switzerland.
However, according to figures submitted by the survey participants, these respondents spent more money on energy-saving products than their French-speaking neighbours. This suggests that German-speaking Switzerland tends to buy fewer, but more expensive energy-saving products.
Energy-efficient household appliances in high demand
When asked «Do you currently pay more attention to energy efficiency when buying household appliances than before the energy crisis?», 66% of respondents answered «Yes» or «Mostly yes». In German-speaking Switzerland, it’s 64%, with the figure rising to 73% in French-speaking Switzerland. This considered, those living in French-speaking Switzerland have made a more significant adjustment to their shopping habits regarding energy efficiency than their German-speaking neighbours.
According to the survey, men in Switzerland pay slightly more attention to energy efficiency in household appliances than women do. In Germany, it’s the same story. Over in Austria, however, a different picture emerges. There, 74% of women opt for energy-efficient appliances. For men, the figure drops to 67%.
What are you doing to save energy, if anything? Which tips do you follow? Which ones do you ignore? And how important is it that your electrical appliances are energy-efficient? Join the conversation in the comments section.
Stephan Kurmann
Senior Communications Manager
Stephan.Kurmann@digitecgalaxus.chStudies claim that we have a shorter attention span than goldfish. Ouch! My job is to get your attention as often and for as long as possible. How? With content you enjoy. Outside of the office, you’ll find me on the tennis court, curled up with a book, Netflixing or travelling.
Interior
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Home + Kitchen
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Sustainability
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
147 comments
later