Study:Seven in ten Romanians seek ways to cut energy bills

  Seven out of ten Romanians say the main reason for changing their consumption habits is the desire to reduce their energy bills, according to a study conducted by a DIY retail chain.The Leroy Merlin Romania study, carried out with AHA Moments on a sample of over 1,000 people, shows that over the past six months, Romanians have mainly focused on simple and accessible measures to save energy. Eight out of ten respondents aged 55-65 have replaced traditional bulbs with LEDs and adopted more responsible consumption habits. Around a third of households have made more substantial investments, such as purchasing energy-efficient appliances or improving home insulation.According to a company press release, over the next 12 months, investment intentions are shifting towards solutions with long-term impact. Three out of ten Romanians plan to buy energy-efficient appliances, while one in four intends to carry out thermal insulation works. Interest in renewable energy is also rising - over 20% of respondents say they plan to install photovoltaic panels or other alternative energy sources, twice as many as in the past six months."We are observing a significant shift in Romanian consumer behaviour, with growing interest in improving the energy efficiency of homes. This trend is supported by the current context, in which 77% of homes in Romania require energy renovation and energy bills have doubled. Our goal is to support customers by providing access to a full range of products and solutions - from home insulation to efficient heating systems - that are affordable, easy to implement, and designed to directly reduce energy consumption and associated costs," said Mihaela Voinea, Sustainable Development Director at Leroy Merlin Romania, quoted in the release.Reducing costs remains the primary driver of decisions - seven out of ten Romanians consider the energy bill the main motivation for investing in efficiency. The second most cited reason is increased home comfort, followed by environmental concerns, more strongly felt among younger people. For those over 35, safety and energy independence are increasingly important, while young people are drawn to technology and innovation."Energy efficiency is the fastest route to independence and savings. In a context of fluctuating energy prices, we provide customers with solutions that help them become more autonomous, responsible, and protected in the long term. Every energy-efficient product installed at home is a step towards a smarter home and a lower bill," said Mathieu Bauduin, CEO of Leroy Merlin Romania.Leroy Merlin is part of the French ADEO Group and operates 25 stores in Romania, employing nearly 3,500 staff across 16 cities.