Concerns ahead of winter

Romanians are most afraid of more price rises.

Ştefan Stoica, 02.11.2022, 13:50

The
weather has been mild in Romania so far this autumn, with temperatures that are
higher than usual at this time of the year, but people are afraid of what will
happen this winter. Almost 60% say it will be hard for them to pay their
utility bills in the cold season, with young people most afraid of this
prospect, according to a survey conducted by a market research company. Half of
respondents are worried they won’t be able to keep their homes warm enough and
are expecting interruptions in the heat supply due to the aging infrastructure.
58% of respondents expect the temperature in their homes to be lower this year
than in previous years, with young people again taking the most pessimistic
view. Half of respondents will use different methods to keep their homes warm,
and 32% are considering disconnecting themselves from the central heating
system.

The
survey also shows that Romanians have already begun to prepare themselves for
record high bills this winter, which means they have to save money to be able
to pay them. The higher utility costs have led to profound changes in consumption
and purchasing habits, with 55% of respondents, especially those over the age
of 65, saying they have given up on non-essential products. As for the
solutions people are considering for the cold season, 48%, especially men and older
people, say they are planning to reduce their electricity consumption; 42% say
they are ready to wear warmer clothes when at home, and 29% are planning to
stop heating unused spaces and to use colder water.

The
heating system that uses natural gas is considered the least costly method for
heating homes as opposed to that using electricity. The survey also shows that
28% of Romanians say they are planning to change the way their homes are heated
in the next year, especially those who have heating systems based on
electricity or wood. 17% of respondents say they benefit from the support
granted by the state for heating, but few believe this is enough.

Price
rises are a reason for concern for Romanians more than anything else in
society, such as the escalation of the conflict on the country’s borders, the
level of corruption and a new pandemic wave. 40% of Romanians say their
electricity and natural gas bill is the thing they are most worried about in
the near future, and 25% are worried about the increase in the price of basic products.
Only 18% of respondents are optimistic, while 43% are rather pessimistic with
respect to the living standard this winter. (CM)