Energy Efficiency—Case Study for Households in Poland

Abstract

This article aimed to identify actions to improve energy efficiency in households. A household’s energy efficiency is aimed at obtaining the same or more services with lower energy input. The article presents energy consumption in households in Poland according to Statistics Poland and then discusses the results of the survey, where respondents were asked how they improve their energy efficiency. Improving households’ energy efficiency has gained importance due to increased energy prices in recent years. The most common methods of improving energy efficiency in a household include energy-saving devices and LED lighting, thermal modernization of the building, replacement of the heating system, and changing habits. The results were presented using the documentation and comparative methods. The article uses data from Statistics Poland and surveys conducted among 1112 representatives of households in Poland.

1. Introduction

Rationalization of fuel and energy consumption is one of the main assumptions of the country’s energy policy. It should cover all areas/sectors of the economy in which appropriate fuel and energy management or improvement of energy efficiency can bring measurable effects in the form of energy savings and related cost reduction. This applies in particular to end users of energy, whose awareness and knowledge in this area is increasing.

Energy efficiency is a crucial element of sustainable development. It significantly impacts economic growth processes, environmental protection, and energy security. Energy efficiency is necessary for the country, the economy, municipalities, local governments, and households.

This article aimed to identify actions to improve energy efficiency in households. The study’s novelty was that it discussed the concept of energy efficiency in microeconomic terms using the example of a household. According to Statistics Poland, in 2020, electricity consumption in households in Polish cities increased by 3.1% compared to 2019 and amounted to 18,499 GWh, with an increase in the number of recipients (households) of 1.5%. In rural areas, consumption increased by 2.8% compared to the previous year, with an increase in the number of recipients of 1.1% [1]. Energy prices for households in Poland have risen in recent years. For example, electricity prices have increased by more than 55% since 2013, while hard coal prices have increased by 164% [2,3]. Therefore, improving energy efficiency is also essential at the household level. The article presents energy consumption in households in Poland according to Statistics Poland and then discusses the results of a survey where respondents were asked how they improve their energy efficiency.

The study’s implications are primarily a background for energy policy goals, where programs and projects for households are established at the national level to improve energy efficiency.

Future research plans include extending the research to include improving energy efficiency in the context of renewable energy sources and adapting the energy infrastructure in Poland to develop a prosumer energy policy.

The article includes an introduction, a literature review, research results, and a summary. The introduction consists of the justification for the selection of the topic, the aim of the article, the novelty of the research, the scope of the article, practical implications, and plans. The literature review section presents the importance of energy efficiency and methods of improving it in households. The research results characterize energy consumption in households in Poland and present activities aimed at improving energy efficiency in the studied households.

One of the five dimensions of the Energy Union strategy, established by the European Commission in 2015, is to reduce energy demand. The way to meet this challenge is through energy efficiency, the ratio of the obtained results, services, goods, or energy to the input of energy [4].

An extended formulation of the concept of energy efficiency was proposed by Skoczkowski [5]: “Energy efficiency is the reduction of primary energy consumption, occurring at the stage of changing voltages, transmission, distribution or final energy consumption, due to technological changes, changes in behavior and/or economic changes, providing the same or higher level of comfort or services. Solutions that increase the efficiency of final energy consumption reduce both the energy consumed by end users and primary energy”.

Improving energy efficiency throughout the energy chain, including energy generation, transmission, distribution, and end-use, will benefit the environment, enhance the quality of air and public health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy security by reducing dependence on energy imports from outside the European Union, lowering energy costs for households and businesses, helping alleviate energy poverty, and leading to greater competitiveness, increased employment, and a revitalized economy, which will improve the quality of life of citizens [6].

Maximizing energy efficiency is also one of the seven vital strategic elements of the long-term vision for climate neutrality by 2050. Improving energy efficiency can help reduce the EU’s energy consumption by up to half compared to 2005.

Following Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and the Council, energy efficiency should be treated as an energy source in its own right. The task of the European Commission is to ensure that energy efficiency and demand response can compete on equal terms with energy generation capacity. The “energy efficiency first” principle should be considered when defining new regulations on the supply side and in other policy areas. This statement was also the inspiration for undertaking research on energy efficiency at the end of the energy chain, i.e., in the individual household.

Technological progress enables countries to become more energy efficient by improving current production or encouraging the use of renewable energy. However, despite continuous efforts to reduce energy consumption, global energy demand is increasing (since 2013, the average annual change in primary energy consumption was 1.48% [7]), worsening the environment. This problem is becoming increasingly visible in the era of sustainable development goals. Therefore, policymakers and other stakeholders focus on reducing energy consumption through efficient use, and technological progress can play a crucial role [8]. Many studies have shown that technological progress can increase energy efficiency and thus lead to reduced energy consumption [9,10,11,12,13].

An example of new technological solutions is the introduction of intelligent systems for measuring household energy consumption by distribution network operators. Intelligent measuring systems (also known as smart meters) are, in short, electricity meters that, in addition to measuring energy consumption, provide specific information to the end user, thanks to which they can make informed decisions regarding the use of electricity receivers. The use of intelligent metering enables the following:

• increasing the precision of measurement by increasing the reading frequency, which is essential mainly for the distribution network operator;
• obtaining information on daily electricity consumption by analyzing the amount of daily electricity consumption in the household;
• obtaining information on the household zone with the highest consumption by analyzing the electricity consumption in a specific zone;
• increasing household savings by analyzing energy receivers’ operating time [14].

Technological progress also enables the optimization of electricity consumption in the household thanks to the use of intelligent energy management systems such as HEMS (Home Energy Management System) [15]. Its use allows for remote control of electrical devices, which can be turned on or off anytime. All you need is an application on a smartphone with Internet access. Thanks to this, it is also possible to automatically start devices at a specific time and create schedules for their operation.

The basis for rational energy use in buildings is also an energy audit [16]. It systematically analyzes the main areas of energy loss to find improvement opportunities. It identifies the places and causes of waste, proposes repair options, and presents savings. An energy audit contains a technical and economic analysis of building improvement. It determines a thermal modernization project’s scope and technical and economic parameters to reduce the costs of heating the building and obtaining hot water, ventilation, and air conditioning. An energy audit includes the study of energy flows, suggesting saving methods, analyzing energy consumption, conducting physical tests and interviews, analyzing data, and providing cost-effective solutions for energy savings [17]. Periodic energy audits can lead to potential energy savings, environmental benefits, and sustainable development [18]. Following the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council 2010/31/EU of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance of buildings [19], an Energy Performance Certificate is mandatory for all newly constructed properties and used properties introduced to the market (sold or rented), as well as for a building when its energy performance has changed as a result of reconstruction or renovation. An Energy Certificate is performed for properties constituting an independent technical and utility whole. The aim is to promote energy-efficient construction and increase public awareness of the possibilities of achieving energy savings in construction [16].

Generally, the methods of improving energy efficiency in a household can be divided into two groups: reducing heat losses and efficient use of generated energy by changing usage habits (Figure 1).

Installing thermostatic heads on radiators or properly insulating the heating system are temporary actions that allow you to reduce heat consumption during operation. A simple change of habits and adherence to the principles of heat saving can bring noticeable savings with practically no financial outlay and, importantly, without reducing the thermal comfort of residents. It is crucial to properly prepare the apartment and the heating system for winter, i.e., seal windows and doors, vent the system, and adjust the room temperature to needs. It is worth lowering its temperature if we are not using a room. Use curtains on the windows and make sure that radiators under the windows are uncovered. It is essential to make the most of daylight. If the windows are constantly covered, this should be changed.

One of the easiest ways to reduce household electricity consumption is to replace lighting with energy-saving ones [20]. LED lighting is almost twenty times more economical than a regular bulb, translating into lower electricity bills. LED lighting is ecological. Bulbs made using this technology do not heat up, and the light they emit does not strain the eyes. The advantages of LED lighting include the following:

• lower power consumption;
• lower supply voltage;
• high efficiency;
• low energy losses;
• smaller size;
• high durability and shock resistance;
• high luminance value;
• possibility of selecting a light color;
• in some models, the ability to control the lighting and its color is achieved via the bulb’s Wi-Fi module.

Moreover, according to Mirowski [20], the most critical elements of improving energy efficiency in newly built single-family houses include the following:

• appropriate building architecture (building geometry, location, size of transparent partitions, room layout);
• insulation of building partitions;
• type of ventilation used;
• type and efficiency of the heating system;
• equipment with electrical devices of the highest possible energy class;
• energy management system in the building.

An opportunity to increase energy savings in end-use sectors is energy-efficient construction [21] and distributed energy sources [22].

Heat is the primary energy used in households [23,24]. The size of the heat demand is mainly determined by the size of heat losses, which are caused by insufficient thermal insulation of walls, poor condition of windows or doors, heat losses through ventilation ducts, and insufficient insulation of roofs in buildings. Increasing the energy efficiency of buildings by limiting or eliminating these losses directly impacts the selection of an adequate heat source and, ultimately, the operating costs resulting from heating costs. Therefore, when preparing for the modernization of residential and utility buildings, it is crucial to analyze the condition of the building’s thermal protection and the functioning of heating installations from the point of view of their efficiency, operating costs, and emissions of pollutants into the air. It is necessary to look at what materials were used for construction and, if possible, try to insulate and modernize the buildings to avoid heat losses and too rapid cooling. The energy efficiency of the building is also influenced by the efficiency of the installed heating installation, which consists of the efficiency of the heat source, the efficiency of the transmission system to the radiators, the efficiency of the use of heat supplied to the radiators resulting from their condition or location, and the possibility of regulating the use of heat depending on the current demand.

Another element that impacts improving energy efficiency is using renewable energy sources [25,26]. The use of RES significantly reduces the installation’s operating costs. Thanks to the use of hybrid systems, it is possible to achieve the effect of energy security, including heat supply and independence from external factors and supplies of energy carriers, their price increases, and transmission failures. Obtaining heat from RES has a future due to the shrinking resources of fossil fuels [27,28] and the upward trend in energy costs despite temporary price reductions for some resources.

The criteria for selecting renewable energy sources for heating purposes cannot be solely the availability of financing sources but primarily technical and location considerations for a given household. Heat can be generated using [29,30]:

• installations for generating electricity and heat using biomass or biogas obtained in the methane fermentation process;
• hydroelectric power plants (electric heating and power supply for automation and heaters in hybrid installations);
• wind power plants (electric heating and power supply for automation and heaters in hybrid installations);
• production of biofuels or other renewable fuels;
• solar collectors obtain heat directly from solar radiation and photovoltaic cells (electric heating or power supply for automation in other heating devices);
• heat pumps and devices using ambient heat or from the Earth’s interior.

2. Materials and Methods

This article aimed to identify actions to improve energy efficiency in households. Data from Statistics Poland were used to assess energy consumption in households in Poland, while surveys were used to determine consumer behavior related to improving energy efficiency in the household. The research was carried out in 2022 using the diagnostic survey method using the CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) technique among 1112 adult respondents selected in a non-random manner—quota sampling according to Statistics Poland (criteria: age, gender, place of residence, and education). This article uses the documentation method and the comparative method. The analysis of the obtained data was carried out using Excel.

In the analyzed research sample, women (52%) and men (48%) were represented almost equally. In the research sample, the largest group was respondents over 65. They numbered 250 people, making up 22% of the research sample. The smallest group in the study were people aged 18–24—9% of the studied population. Details regarding the characteristics of the respondents, and in particular the variables described by households, are included in

Table 1. Summary of sociodemographic variables in the study sample. ¹ n = 1112.

Variable	Value	n 1	%
Sex	Men	537	48.29
	Woman	575	51.71
Place of residence	Village	401	36.06
	City up to 20,000 inhabitants	245	22.03
	City with 20,001 to 99,999 inhabitants	158	14.21
	City with 100,000 to 499,999 inhabitants	155	13.94
	City over 500,000 inhabitants	153	13.76
Age	18–24 years old	86	7.73
	25–34 years old	183	16.46
	35–44 years old	226	20.32
	45–54 years old	176	15.83
	55–64 years old	198	17.81
	65+ years old	243	21.85
Education	Elementary school	36	3.24
	Junior high school	21	1.89
	Vocational school	287	25.81
	High school	410	36.87
	University	358	32.19
Income	Up to 1000 PLN	120	10.79
	from 1001 to 2000 PLN	340	30.58
	from 2001 to 5000 PLN	563	50.63
	from 5001 to 8000 PLN	71	6.38
	above 8000 PLN	18	1.62

.

3. Results

3.1. Energy Consumption in Households in Poland

Final energy consumption means the consumption of energy for energy purposes by final consumers. Final consumption in the industry does not include the energy transformation sector [31]. Final energy consumption in Poland in 2012–2022 increased from 64.4 Mtoe to 72.4 Mtoe, which means that the annual increase in final energy consumption amounted to 1.2%. In industry and transport, final energy consumption increased in the period under review (by 9% and 43%, respectively), while it decreased in services (by 2.5%) and in agriculture and forestry (by 11%). Final energy consumption in households remained unchanged at 20.8 Mtoe. Despite maintaining consumption at the same level, the share of households in final energy consumption decreased by 29%. A positive change was also the decrease in the consumption of solid fossil fuels (a reduction of 15 percentage points) and the increase in the use of renewable sources (an increase of 13 percentage points). The use of natural gas also increased by five percentage points (Figure 2).

Energy prices for households in Poland in 2012–2022 were characterized by significant volatility, with a clear upward trend in recent years (Figure 3). However, this increase was less dynamic than in the case of industrial customers, especially in the case of natural gas and electricity. Attention should be paid to the rise in fuel prices in 2020–2022, especially in the case of diesel oil (53.0%) and LPG (50.7%). Gasoline recorded the smallest increase (42.7%) in this period. In 2022, the price of electricity reached 1902 EUR/toe, increasing by 10.3% since 2012. In turn, the price of natural gas in 2022 was 727 EUR/toe, which is a 2.5% increase compared to 2012. Despite the increases, natural gas remained a relatively economical source of energy for households.

The most commonly used energy carrier in Polish households in 2022 was renewable energy and biofuels, with a share of 26.5% (Figure 4). This resulted from the growing popularity of biomass used for heating homes, as well as the increase in the number of photovoltaic installations on the roofs of single-family houses. This situation is also influenced by government policy supporting the development of renewable energy sources. The significant share of natural gas (20.9%) results from Poland’s relatively developed gas network and the popularity of gas heating in cities and suburbs. The still high share of fossil fuels (19.8%) may result from its high availability and popularity in many regions of Poland. The share of heat, at 17.5%, is related to its use for heating densely populated areas, especially urban ones. The consumption of renewable energy sources and biofuels shows a clear upward trend, especially since 2018. The consumption of solid fossil fuels decreased gradually throughout the study period, while natural gas consumption remained relatively stable with minor fluctuations. The total energy consumption remained relatively stable throughout the period, with minor fluctuations from year to year. A gradual shift in energy consumption structure is visible—from traditional fossil fuels to renewable energy sources—illustrating the energy transformation in Polish households.

Space heating, with a share of 62.6%, was the most important direction of energy use in 2022 (Figure 5). Water heating uses 18.7% of energy, lighting and electrical appliances 9.6%, and cooking meals 9.0%. In 2017–2022, space heating accounted for the largest share of households’ energy consumption. However, a downward trend is visible—since 2018, the share of space heating in the structure has fallen by almost six percentage points. On the other hand, water heating was characterized by an upward trend, the share of which in the energy consumption structure has increased by over three percentage points since 2018. Heating (rooms and water) accounted for most household energy consumption, totaling around 80%. The share of energy used for cooking, lighting, and electrical appliances remained relatively stable, with a slight upward trend. Changes in the structure of energy consumption in households by type of use may result from improving the energy efficiency of buildings, changing consumer habits, or the impact of external factors, such as climatic conditions or energy prices.

Figure 6 shows the energy consumption in Poland’s households in 2012–2022, expressed in kgoe/m². The overall trend in energy consumption was slightly downward, with some fluctuations in individual years. An increase in energy consumption in households occurred in 2018 and 2021. It was also noticeable that energy consumption for heating constituted a significant part of the total energy consumption. The difference between total consumption and consumption for heating remained relatively constant; therefore, energy consumption for other purposes, such as lighting or cooking, remained relatively stable.

The ODEX energy efficiency indicator is obtained by aggregating changes in unit energy consumption observed over time at specific end-use levels. The ODEX indicator does not show the current level of energy intensity but progress compared to the base year; a decrease in the indicator value indicates an increase in energy efficiency. A 3-year moving average is calculated to reduce random fluctuations. The ODEX technical indicator is free from disturbances that may result from less efficient use of equipment and strong fluctuations related to statistical errors, imperfect climate corrections, and the impact of business cycles. The ODEX gross indicator, on the other hand, is the result of these adjustments. The ODEX technical indicator showed an improvement in energy efficiency in households of 7.3%. The cumulative annual rate of improvement in energy efficiency amounted to 0.9%/year. The ODEX gross indicator showed an improvement in energy efficiency in households of 14.3% compared to 2000. The cumulative annual rate of improvement in energy efficiency was 0.2%/year. The ODEX technical indicator showed a steady downward trend from 2012 to 2022. In turn, the ODEX gross indicator was characterized by greater volatility—in 2016–2019, there was a sharp increase in the indicator. Until 2016, the values of both indicators were very similar, but after 2016, the ODEX gross indicator began to reach higher values (Figure 7). The increase in the ODEX gross indicator in 2016–2019 was primarily the result of adjustments in energy consumption to the rapid GDP growth in Poland (which led to higher energy consumption despite improved energy efficiency). The decrease in the indicator in subsequent years was caused by the pandemic, which changed household energy consumption patterns.

Household final energy consumption increased by 1.33 Mtoe in 2012–2022 (Figure 8). The main factors influencing the increase in household energy demand were the increase in the stock of dwellings (1.07 Mtoe) and a lifestyle change (0.62 Mtoe). The rise in energy consumption related to lifestyle is primarily due to the growing number of household electricity-powered devices despite the use of increasingly energy-efficient technologies. Energy savings amounted to 2 Mtoe in total, but other factors contributed to the increase in consumption by 1.62 Mtoe. Weather conditions had a marginal impact on the change in energy consumption in the analyzed period.

3.2. Actions Aimed at Improving Energy Efficiency in Surveyed Households

Since households also have a significant potential to improve energy efficiency, respondents were asked about their opinions on this issue. Projects aimed at improving energy efficiency are increasingly used in households. This results from the development of technology used in homes, such as smart meters, Wi-Fi sockets, or home energy management systems, which allow for the modification of electricity consumption by various home appliances. In practice, this means actions involving introducing changes or improvements in a facility, technical device, or installation, resulting in energy savings. Looking through the prism of energy efficiency, it is also necessary to consider the possibilities of local energy generation in the household, i.e., at the place of its consumption. Respondents were also asked about the issue of the household being an energy prosumer.

First, respondents were asked whether they manage energy effectively in their household. Only 7% of respondents admitted that they do not do this, while the remaining people, i.e., 93%, declared that they try to manage energy effectively in their household (Figure 9). Such respondent behavior can influence energy efficiency indicators, such as ODEX, which allow observing changes and trends in energy consumption.

Analyzing efficient energy management by households depending on income groups, taking into account the average monthly net income per person in the household, shows that households with lower incomes more often manage energy economically (in the group of respondents with income below PLN 1000, 90% of respondents declared such behavior). In households with an average monthly net income per person above PLN 8000, attention is paid less to efficient energy management because only 79% of respondents declared such behavior. The size and type of place of the residence were not crucial for efficient energy management because the same results were obtained for both villages and cities, regardless of their size.

It should be noted that energy efficiency and energy saving are not the same, although they have a similar goal: reducing energy consumption. Saving energy means turning off unnecessary lighting and using the washing machine or dishwasher more wisely. Respondents were, therefore, asked whether they would save on heating their apartment due to the increased energy prices: 59% of respondents declared they would save on heating their apartment, 24% believed they would not, and 17% had no opinion (Figure 10).

Considering the respondents’ declarations depending on their per capita income, households with the lowest income more often declared savings on home heating. In households with per capita income of less than PLN 1000, 60% of respondents declared savings on heating, while in the group of households with the highest income (over PLN 8000), it was only half of the respondents.

Respondents were asked what heat sources were used to heat their houses and apartments. Respondents could choose more than one heat source. Considering that the population surveyed was a representative sample and included both urban and rural representatives, the most frequently indicated sources were firewood (33%), coal (26%), local heating network (25%), and natural gas from the network (21%). Additionally, 12% of respondents indicated electricity from the network, and 10% indicated eco-pea coal.

Respondents were also asked whether they would save energy due to increased energy prices: 85% of respondents declared that they would save energy, 9% believed that they would not, and 6% had no opinion (Figure 11). Such behavior of respondents results from the increase in household energy prices in the last ten years.

Considering the respondents’ declarations depending on their per capita income, 88% of households with the lowest income (below PLN 1000) declared they would save energy as energy prices increased. In the group of households with the highest income (over PLN 8000), it was 73%. The increase in household energy prices causes social injustice because the savings declared by respondents with the lowest income directly affect the decrease in their comfort of life.

One way to improve energy efficiency in a single household is to replace light bulbs with energy-saving ones. LEDs use up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs [32]. LED lighting is much more durable than conventional bulbs. Their lifespan is up to 50,000 h, giving almost six years of uninterrupted operation. Some LED manufacturers declare even 100,000 h. In turn, a regular bulb works for 1–2 thousand hours.

When buying a new appliance such as a dishwasher or refrigerator, it is best to choose energy class A—the least energy-consuming (i.e., the most economical). Energy efficiency classes are described using a scale starting with the letter A and ending with G. The letters are accompanied by colors—starting with the pleasant green A and ending with the warning red G.

Respondents were asked whether they try to use and buy energy-saving light bulbs and appliances for their household. This fact was confirmed by 93% of respondents. Only 5% do not use such a solution, and 3% have no opinion (Figure 12).

Energy efficiency can also be improved by reducing energy consumption, e.g., for heating residential buildings, through comprehensive thermal modernization. Thermal modernization, i.e., investment in reducing the energy consumption of existing buildings, is, according to experts, the first and most crucial step towards reducing energy consumption and, consequently, reducing heating bills. Correctly and comprehensively performed thermal modernization can reduce heating costs by up to half, and the payback time of such an investment due to lower bills is usually several to a maximum of a dozen or so years.

The respondents were, therefore, asked whether thermal modernization works involving the replacement of doors and windows and insulation of walls and roofs had been carried out in the building in the last five years and whether the heating system had been replaced. The distribution of respondents’ answers to questions regarding the thermal modernization of the building is presented in

Table 2. Respondents’ answers to questions about the thermal modernization of the building (%).

Specification	Total Sample
Window replacement
Yes	41
No	59
Door replacement
Yes	44
No	56
Wall insulation
Yes	41
No	59
Roof insulation
Yes	28
No	72
Replacing the heating system
Yes	31
No	91

.

Another element that positively impacts a house’s energy efficiency is heat recovery systems, which recover heat from used air and allow fresh air to flow into the rooms. Homeowners with such technology save up to 40% on heating costs. This means that heat recovery units provide the comfort of clean air and contribute to the house becoming more energy efficient [33,34]. Respondents were also asked whether they have such modern ventilation systems with heat recovery in their homes. A tiny group of respondents, only 2%, have heat recovery at home. There is no direct regulation in Polish law that would require heat recovery in every newly built house. Installing a heat recovery system is one of the options that can be chosen to increase the energy efficiency of the building. The decision to implement it depends on the owner’s individual preferences and the specific design requirements.

Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly widely used in households [35]. Many studies consider the use of renewable energy sources in the residential context. Aspects related to the use of wind energy [36,37], solar energy [38,39], or bioenergy [40,41] are taken into account. Social issues related to the use of renewable energy sources or their acceptance [42,43,44], or the behavior of energy consumers in households [45,46,47], are also considered. Lower costs and higher efficiency mean that households increasingly become prosumers, i.e., consciously producing and consuming their electricity [48].

Respondents were asked whether renewable energy sources were used in their households for heating rooms or heating water. Renewable energy sources were used by 15% of the surveyed population (Figure 13). In addition, respondents were asked whether investments in renewable energy sources had been made in their households in the last five years. The newest installations from 5 years ago were owned by 12% of respondents, 69% did not invest in renewable energy sources during that time, and 18% of respondents do not have the possibility of installing renewable energy sources at all, which may result from, for example, living in a multi-family building (Figure 14). Such behavior of respondents influences the consumption of renewable energy in households, as it has remained at a similar level (around 5–6 Mtoe) in the last five years.

Respondents who indicated that they had invested in renewable energy sources in the last five years were asked to provide the exact energy source. Photovoltaic installations were indicated by 72% of respondents, solar panels by 25%, heat pumps by 17%, biomass boilers by 8%, and a home wind farm by 3% (Figure 15).

Respondents were also asked about their willingness to spend money on renewable energy sources: 56% of respondents do not intend to spend their own money.

Due to the low interest in investing in renewable energy sources in households in Poland, in September 2018, the government priority program Clean Air was launched, which will last until 2029, and its budget amounts to PLN 103 billion [49]. The most important goal is to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing heat sources and improving the energy efficiency of single-family residential buildings. As part of the program, it is possible to receive financial support for several activities that contribute to implementing the program’s assumptions. These include replacing an inefficient solid fuel heat source with a new and efficient boiler, building insulation, modernizing the heating system, replacing windows and doors, purchasing heat recovery, and installing a photovoltaic system. In addition to the flagship program Clean Air, if the municipality to which the person interested in subsidizing ecological heating belongs does not provide any subsidies, they can take advantage of a preferential loan. The Bank Ochrony Środowiska and some cooperative banks offer this. If the interested person meets all the requirements, they can receive a subsidy by amortizing up to 50% of the loan. Such a solution is possible thanks to funds from the Voivodeship Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

4. Conclusions

In 2022, the share of energy consumption in households in final energy consumption was 29.2%. The most frequently used carriers were renewable energy (RES) and biofuels, with a total share of 26.5%, followed by natural gas (20.9%), solid fossil fuels (19.8%), heat (17.5%), electricity (12.4%), and liquid fuels (2.9%). In 2022, the most important direction of energy use was space heating, with a share of 62.6%. Additionally, 18.7% of energy was used for water heating, 9.6% for lighting and electrical appliances, and 9.0% for cooking meals. Households in Poland had a significant share in national energy consumption. The average household electricity consumption in 2021 increased by 10.6% compared to 2012. In 2021, the share of households in the national energy consumption in Poland was 20.2%. On average, households in Poland used 24.6 GJ of energy per capita, which placed Poland at the average European level of 24.5 GJ/capita.

A household’s energy efficiency means achieving better results and providing more services without increasing energy expenditure. Energy efficiency uses technology, such as LED light bulbs with a motion sensor or devices with energy class A, which consume less electricity. Both serve to use energy more efficiently. Thanks to adequate heat and energy management in a household, you can quickly achieve measurable financial benefits from limiting the scope of heat and energy production to the amounts necessary to ensure the comfort of life or work. Subsequent price increases should not force the rationalization of energy consumption but should be continuously and systematically planned, and above all, energy should not be wasted in everyday practice. The actions declared by the respondents, such as using energy-saving light bulbs, the willingness to thermally modernize the building, or efficient energy management, may affect energy consumption and improve the energy efficiency of households.

In the minds of all users and decision-makers, it is not the threat of price increases that should be accepted but efficiency improvement. This can be achieved by investing in and changing operating parameters. However, how the rooms in buildings are used plays a significant role. Today, there are no European standards for organizing the investment process or use, but good customs and traditions make it possible to improve a household’s energy efficiency. Decision-makers should focus on introducing building regulations for new constructions, including higher thermal insulation standards or the need to use energy-efficient heating systems. Furthermore, it is essential to expand and simplify programs related to subsidies for energy modernization of houses, focusing on low-income households and areas with high levels of energy poverty. Another recommendation may be to introduce incentives (including tax incentives) for those households that invest in energy-efficient modernizations. Energy suppliers should focus on offering energy audits, adjusting to a given household’s specific conditions, or promoting flexible tariffs to encourage consumers to use energy outside peak hours. One of the recommendations for suppliers and decision-makers may be to create and conduct educational campaigns to increase awareness of energy-efficient behaviors or the benefits of thermal modernization of buildings. Recommendations for end users may include setting priorities related to household thermal modernization (which may depend on the budget), replacing inefficient devices with more energy-efficient ones, or installing intelligent devices (programmable thermostats or LED lighting with motion sensors) that reduce energy consumption in the household. It is also important to motivate households that have the resources to invest in energy-saving technologies and practices to save energy. From the perspective of these households, it may be essential to emphasize the long-term benefits associated with this type of investment (including an increase in the property’s market value). It is also worth highlighting the connection between energy efficiency and sustainable living, which may be a good reason for saving energy for many people. Trends emerging in society related to the use of the most modern energy-saving technologies and devices, often personalized, may also be helpful.