Germans used more electricity and heat during pandemic year 2020 – data analysis

Electricity consumption in German homes was up five percent, while heat consumption increased by two percent, during 2020 compared to the year before, a data analysis conducted by non-profit consulting company CO2online shows. The most important reason for the increase in consumption was people’s frequent presence at home, the analysis, which used the real data of thousands of households, shows. Electricity consumption has increased in 71 percent of households, while 59 percent saw a higher use of heating energy. The number of kilometres driven by private households was down 23 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. Eighty-three percent of households have reduced the number of kilometres driven. Twenty-three percent have used the same amount of fuel, while four percent have increased their consumption.

Around 50 percent of the respondents stated that they had implemented measures to reduce their energy consumption in 2020. Most respondents who have implemented measures have adapted their behaviour (44%) in order to save energy and water. More than 37 percent said they had undertaken renovation or modernisation measures, and another third had purchased energy-efficient appliances.

Partially due to the reduced economic activity and mobility during the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns in Germany, the country’s carbon emissions fell by a record 8.7 percent in 2020. All sectors apart from the buildings sector were thus able to reach their emission reduction targets for 2020.