We don’t want energy savings to come at the expense of health

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Electricity consumption fell sharply this fall, according to a recent NVE press release.

In September and October, households in southern Norway reduced their electricity consumption by up to 17 percent in September and 14 percent in October compared to last year. The numbers have been corrected for changes in temperature.

– Obviously, more people are now saving electricity, says Kjetil Lund, Director of Waterways and Energy, and the figures show that the energy consumption of the whole country so far this year has decreased by 6.1 TWh from last year. 6.1 gigawatt-hours corresponds to 6.1 million kilowatt-hours.

In Central Norway and Northern Norway, the decrease in household electricity consumption in September and October was 3.3 percent and 1.9 percent compared to last year and was corrected for changes in temperature. Electricity consumption in industry and the service sector also decreased.

NVE says it is important that we continue to save electricity, and encourages everyone to contribute.

– A cash transfer must be given to everyone

important while still saving energy

NVE writes that although the energy situation has strengthened significantly in recent weeks, it is still important to take all measures, small and large, that enable us to save electricity. Helps further enhance supply security for the coming winter.

– The most important measures that you and I can take relate to room heating and water. Lund says the sum of many small actions, like remembering to turn off the lights, will also help lower utility and electric bills.

– At the same time, we do not want energy savings to be at the expense of health. Our advice is about the smart use of electricity and saving it as much as possible without causing unpleasant consequences, he points out.

Older adults in particular should probably be careful not to turn the thermostat too low now that winter temperatures are beginning:

He writes that the elderly or other people at risk of heart disease should keep the temperature high in certain rooms forcing.

At least 24 degrees in one room

Johan Overevik, Subject Director for Research in the Department of Climate and Environment at the Institute of Public Health and Professor at the University of Oslo, and James Mercer, Professor Emeritus at Arctic University of Norway, UiT, both believe that extreme cold indoors can harm your health, not least for older people.

Most younger, healthy people will tolerate lower indoor temperatures just fine, Øvrevik tells forskning.no.

When it comes to the elderly, it is different. It’s good here to realize that a very low indoor temperature can be unfortunate, especially if it’s less than 18 degrees. Therefore, the elderly and people with cardiovascular diseases should be careful not to be exposed to extreme cold indoors.

– One can imagine a number of lower pensioners thinking about keeping cool to save electricity. He says it’s a little worrying.

Among Mercer’s tips for seniors regarding indoor temperature is that if it feels cold, it means it’s cold, no matter what the thermometer shows. Then you should get dressed and turn up the temperature.

The professor also recommends keeping at least one room in the house – for example the living room – really warm, preferably 24 degrees or more.

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The high price of electricity affected those who could not afford it

Rising electricity prices hit those with the lowest prices the hardest before and could particularly affect vulnerable groups, NVE writes.

One Report from Statistics Norway (SSB) Which came in September, shows that low-income people suffer the most from the increase in electricity costs.

– The increase in energy prices that we have seen since the fall of 2021 has led to significant increases in electricity spending for households in southern Norway. It has been particularly stressful for those on low incomes, says SSB researcher Hanne Marit Dalen.

In the report, Statistics Norway writes that low-income people have little to do when it comes to saving electricity:

“We also see signs that consumption changes made in lower-income households, especially for households in the clusters, are leading to significant declines in well-being for these households. This is because they already consume less and have fewer options for substitution with other energy carriers.”

The report also indicated that subsidizing electricity is the most important for low-income people.

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