Cooking, heating, car – the gas emergency rules for Austria – economy
Leonore Gewessler announced an energy saving campaign because of the reduced gas supplies. Citizens should observe certain rules when cooking.
Austria is preparing for a complete stop of Russian gas supplies. For days, Vladimir Putin has only allowed around half of the actual natural gas volumes to flow to Austria and other EU countries.
Coal as a last resort
Chancellor Karl Nehammer convened a cabinet on Sunday evening to deal with crises. In order to be well prepared for the coming winter, the Austrian federal government has set a storage level of 80 percent at the beginning of the heating season (October to March). A number of measures were defined. For example, in the case of an emergency, electricity is to be generated from coal again in the disused district heating plant in Mellach (Styria), “Heute” reported.
The gas storage facilities in Austria are currently 41 percent full. “Putin uses gas supplies as a tool and as a weapon. If the storage target is compromised & we take further action. The storage levels are a central buffer for the winter, with which we ensure that we keep households warm,” explained Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler in the “Puls24” interview on Monday.
She announced an energy-saving campaign for the fall. “Saving energy is always smart to protect the climate, to save money and to reduce gas consumption,” said the minister. The campaign is scheduled to start in September.
Temperature increase, speed 100
The focus will clearly be on gas consumption, but information will also be provided on other areas. According to a press release from the Ministry of Climate Protection, the population should be made aware of the topic and given practical tips for saving energy with broad-based communication on all channels.
the following tipsthe following must be observed:
– Turn down the thermostat:Citizens should reduce the room temperature in their own four walls by one to two degrees as much as possible. Every degree less would reduce one’s own consumption by around ten percent.
– Bleed radiators: The radiator should be properly vented before the heating season. There should also be no furniture in front of it, which also costs more energy.
– Seal doors and windows:Proper sealing reduces drafts and heat losses.
– Cooking with lid only: If there is a lid on the pot, the heat stays where you want it. Up to 65 percent less electricity or gas is used.
– Turn off the water: Regardless of whether you are showering or cooking – the water should always be turned off when it is not needed.
– Runner off the gas: Instead of speeding down the freeway and burning tons of fuel in the process, drivers should drive more slowly. There is already a legal basis for 100 km/h on the Autobahn.