Handling with energy

The results of the Slovenian Energy Efficiency Survey (REUS) 2019 show that over three quarters of all households decrease their greenhouse gas emissions by walking short distances, about half of them travel by bike, 1 in 7 uses public transport and 1 in 8  uses car sharing. Seven out of ten households were willing to combine their personal vehicle with other forms of transportation in their daily travel.

Households willingness to use photovoltaic systems in single-family homes has increased. The index increased by 7 index points between 2019 and 2022, reaching a value of 36 on a scale from 0 to 100 in 2022. The share of households that already use or intend to use photovoltaics in the near future has increased the most during this period. Despite the positive change, as many as a quarter of households are still hesitant or reluctant to use photovoltaics. There are no differences in willingness to use photovoltaics between regions.

Almost half of households in single-family houses are in favor of heating with a heat pump. The index was 44 on a scale of 0 to 100 in 2022 and has not changed significantly since 2019. The majority of households in single-family houses still consider the use of renewable energy sources to be important. The share of households considering replacing or supplementing heating with a heat pump, as well as those already using it, increased significantly between 2015 and 2017, and then stabilized. The favorability of heat pumps varies between regions.

More than half of households in Slovenia have already used financial incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources or are actively considering it. The index of household preferece for financial incentives offered by the Eco Fund increased positively by 4 index points from 2019 to 2022, when it was 52 on a scale from 0 to 100. Preference for these financial incentives varies between regions. On the one hand, knowledge and interest in the Eco Fund services is decreasing, while on the other hand, the share of households that have opted for these services again is increasing.

The energy efficiency preference index among single-family homeowners is 46 (on a scale of 0 to 100), indicating untapped potential for improvement. The analysis reveals a divided market: approximately a fifth of households are completely passive, living in energy-inefficient homes and not considering renovation. Most of the remaining households are already on the path to greater efficiency, either by actively considering renovation or by having already updated individual elements such as windows, the facade, or the roof.

The preference index for energy-saving household appliances among Slovenian households is a high 83 (on a scale from 0 to 100), which clearly shows the market is in a mature phase and its potential has been largely realized. This is also reflected in the consumer segmentation: on one hand, we find that nearly a quarter are " Energetic Catalysts" who have already fully upgraded their appliances, while on the other, there is only a smaller group of "Passive" and "Restrained" consumers.