Do you have enough money to by woods for this winter or to pay a heating bill, whether it’s gas or electricity? If that’s so, than you’re not in the condition of energy poverty. Let’s make a survey and ask the people whether they have what’s necessary and, if not, list them as people in the condition of energy poverty and we will have an information about how widespread it is. It’s easy, let’s solve the first problem. The interviewer is at the door, asking question. The examinee is thinking…”Let me ask you, what amount of wood do you consider to be – enough, what exactly do you mean? Should I be heating the entire house, keeping the temperature inside up to 20 degrees? Wait, I could do that if I go down with food a little bit. Nah, the kid doesn’t necessarily have to go to the field trip. I mean, they’re taking them to some mountain resort, clean air and stuff. Who needs that, we get plenty of clean air when wind does the job. It’s a bit irritating for the throat otherwise. Now that I think about it, this stove creates hell lot of smoke, it’s burning woods like crazy, it’s also smoking inside a bit and we still get to feel the cold air around. But you know what they say – it can’t burn without the oxygen, right?

 To have enough for enough is not a good description. Having enough for enough also means that you should have enough money for you to buy plenty of other things necessary for quality and healthy life without been socially marginalized. You need money for good food, healthcare, clothes and shoes, books and films, sports and recreation. There you go, five ‘enough’-s already. That’s already a handful of preconditions. 

Money is just one piece of the puzzle. When you give money to the ones in need they may cover a part of their heating or electricity bills? What about having enough in other four aspects? You haven’t helped as much as you’d think. If you replace the stove mentioned above with an efficient stove made according to, let’s say, German standards, in a space which is at least partially isolated, you will have two to nine times less consumption. Two to nine times less. That’s better. If that’s the case, not even the state aid might not be necessary. There could even be enough money for the school trip. Let’s remember that it’s possible to tackle energy poverty through energy efficiency. Let’s remember that binding standards for heating could play a very important role. Enough for today. 

Photo credits: RES Foundation