Trend monitor points to climate-friendly heating systems
55 percent of respondents to a study in Switzerland are in favor of making the country climate-neutral by 2030 - 20 years faster than the Federal Council is planning. In the wake of the Covid 19 experience, a good 60 percent want to be more consistent in implementing climate targets from now on. These are the results of the "Energy Trend Monitor Switzerland 2021".
The Federal Council's climate plan envisages making Switzerland climate-neutral by 2050 - by which time the zero greenhouse gas balance is to be achieved. The Energy Trend Monitor 2021 shows that the majority of Swiss people want to accelerate the energy transition. The recent pandemic experiences apparently play a significant role in this: 56 percent take the consequences of climate change more seriously since Covid-19, and a clear majority would like to switch to climate-friendly heating systems in their own homes (62 percent). These are the findings of the latest Trend Monitor, for which 1,000 consumers were surveyed in February by a market research institute on behalf of Stiebel Eltron.
"The most important adjusting screw for private households to reduce their own carbon footprint is in the boiler room," says Patrick Drack, Managing Director of Stiebel Eltron Switzerland. The vast majority of the population has also recognized this: 77 percent rate climate protection in heating as important. However, at the same time, 73 percent say that the Swiss are not informed enough about climate-friendly heating.
Environmentally friendly heating uses energy from earth, water or air
"There are already very sophisticated heating technologies for switching to climate-friendly operation," Drack says. "Top performances in terms of efficiency are provided by heat pump heating systems, which work like a "reverse refrigerator" and convert energy from the ground, groundwater or ambient air into heat for this purpose. Three-quarters of the electricity needed to power them is already produced from renewable sources in Switzerland today."
CO2 law limits building emissions
The clock of the energy transition is ticking: Strict mandatory limits for new buildings will apply nationwide from 2023 - CO2 emissions may no longer be caused. Existing buildings may emit greenhouse gases - but gas and oil burners will go on the red list when heating systems are replaced. At the same time, many cantons support the conversion to climate-friendly heating systems with subsidy programs.
Press release Stiebel Eltron