Europe reduced gas consumption by 15-20 percent by reducing the comfort temperature in public buildings from 22 degrees to 19 degrees. Each degree of sacrifice in comfort temperature saves 7 percent in energy.
According to experts, Turkey’s comfort temperature is approximately 4 degrees higher than Europe. Turkey can make serious savings if it brings the comfort temperature closer to the European level. Thus, it can provide a significant improvement in the current account deficit.
NEWS: MESUDE DEMİRHAN
The energy balance in the world has also changed with the negative effects of the COVID-19 epidemic and the subsequent Russia-Ukraine war.
Especially the problems experienced in energy supply left even developed economies in a difficult situation. Germany and other European Union countries, which are dependent on Russia for natural gas, are also reducing the temperature in buildings as a solution. According to this practice, the comfort temperature in residences is reduced from 22 degrees to 20 degrees, and in public buildings it is reduced to 19 degrees. It was announced that this move in Europe reduced gas consumption by 15-20 percent.
IF Türkiye IMPLEMENTS IT TOO
The average comfort temperature in Turkey’s summer and winter months is 24 degrees. Even reducing the comfort temperature by just 1 degree saves 5-7 percent in natural gas consumption. Such a ‘gain’ contributes greatly to Turkey’s efforts to reduce its foreign trade deficit. Reducing the temperature by 1 degree in residences corresponds to 1 percent of the total annual consumption, taking into account the amount used in industry. In other words, for every 1 degree, 1 percent of the amount paid for natural gas imports can remain in the country’s treasury.
30 PERCENT OF CONSUMPTION
Approximately 30 percent of energy in Turkey is consumed in residences. Approximately 50 percent of this consumption consists of ventilation and air conditioning, that is, thermal comfort consumption.
THE BILL IS GETTING INCREASING
Turkey is an importer in terms of primary energy resources. Last year alone, 50 million tons of oil and oil products, 38 million tons of coal and 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas were imported. When minerals are added to this table, the energy import bill last year approached 100 billion dollars. Turkey, which has taken new investment steps in many areas from renewable energy investments to land and sea exploration, from domestic coal incentives to energy efficiency, in order to reduce the import bill without compromising energy supply security, is also closely following hydrogen, battery and digitalization technologies.
MEASURES FOR 2030
Meanwhile, the energy saving target, which was previously determined as 15 percent by circular, has been updated to a minimum of 30 percent by 2030.
In order to achieve this saving target by increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions, ‘Saving Target and Implementation Guide in Public Buildings (2024-2030)’ was prepared under the coordination of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. Accordingly, the indoor temperature will be ensured to be a maximum of 22 degrees in the heating season and at least 24 degrees in the cooling season.
WHICH BUILDINGS ARE COVERED?
The legislation requires public buildings to appoint energy managers; Heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, hot water heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, heating and heating in buildings (including auxiliary facility buildings, heat centers, social facilities and campus areas) that are publicly owned and have no plans for demolition, relocation or disposal and have completed at least 5 years as of January 1, 2024. It covers the energy sources used for water supply and other equipment and the efficient use of equipment.
In addition to the measures taken by the public, some companies producing in Turkey are also investing in new systems that will save heat. One of these investments is heat pump production.
GERMANY SAVED 10.8 BILLION EUROS IN PUBLIC SECTORS
Prof. Dr. İsmail Ekmekçi-Istanbul Commerce University Faculty Member: The two regulations that came into force in Germany predict a total of 10.8 billion euros in energy cost savings for households, companies and the public sector in the next two years. The final energy consumption of buildings in Turkey in 2017 is above the industry and transportation sectors with a share of 32.3 percent. As of the end of 2019, the total number of buildings exceeded 9.3 million. Residential buildings in Turkey constitute 86.8 percent of the total buildings. The total number of flats in these buildings is 22 million 606 thousand 906. As of 2018, the number of residential subscribers using natural gas for heating and/or hot water needs exceeded 14.7 million. 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas, which corresponds to approximately 25 percent of Turkey’s total annual natural gas consumption of 58-60 billion cubic meters, is consumed in residences.
With a decrease of 1 degree, we can save approximately 0.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas. In other words, we can reduce the current account deficit by saving approximately 0.5 billion dollars on our natural gas bill in residences worth 15 billion dollars.
OUR HEAT COMFORT IS MORE THAN 22 DEGREES
Bülent Şen – Deputy Chairman of the Energy Efficiency Association: The comfort temperature, which is accepted as 22 degrees in the world, is above 22 degrees in Turkey. When using the combi boiler in your home, you can save 7 percent even when you lower the comfort temperature by one degree. Maybe it won’t be 7 percent everywhere, but if we consider the industry, even if it was 5 percent on average, there would be a savings of 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas out of 55 billion cubic meters. That is very serious number.
1 PERCENT OF THE MONEY PAID FOR GAS IMPORTS CAN KEEP IN OUR POCKET
Dr. Cihad Terzioğlu-Energy Specialist: Turkey’s thermal comfort temperature is 24 degrees, considering the average of summer and winter months. It is known that there is a possibility of saving 5-7 percent in natural gas consumption by decreasing the comfort temperature by only 1 degree. This corresponds to approximately 1 percent of our annual consumption in the country. In other words, with every 1 degree we can save 1 percent of the amount paid for natural gas imports. We import an average of 55-60 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. It is estimated that the amount we pay for natural gas is 20 billion dollars. With 1 degree of savings, 1 billion dollars will remain in our pocket. We have the opportunity to reset the natural gas bill of one in every 20 consumers.
OUR ENERGY BILL HAS DECREASED THIS YEAR
Oğuzhan Akyener-Turkish Energy Strategies and Policies Research Center (TESPAM): 
Reducing Turkey’s comfort temperature from 23 degrees to 22 degrees will reduce energy costs in public buildings for heating in winter or cooling in summer by approximately 10 percent. Turkey plans to increase energy efficiency in public buildings from 15 percent to 30 percent. Turkey’s 22-degree approach is more logical and applicable than the 19-degree approach in Germany’s public institutions. Our energy imports, which were 100 billion dollars last year, decreased this year. We will pay approximately 70 billion dollars of bills at the end of the year.
WHAT IS COMFORT TEMPERATURE?
The temperature at which people can maintain their health and performance and feel most comfortable in all climatic conditions is called comfort temperature. Comfort temperature generally includes several factors such as temperature, humidity, air speed, clothing and activity level. This value depends on many parameters such as the conditions of the room the person is in, wall temperatures, sunlight entering through the windows, and the person’s clothing conditions. Additionally, various factors such as seasons, geographical location, cultural differences and individual preferences can also affect the comfort temperature. In Turkey, the average comfort temperature is accepted as 22-24 degrees.
Monday, November 20, 2023
