Gas use drops 25 percent in Dutch households over five years
The use of gas in Dutch households has declined by 25 percent between 2021 and 2023, reflecting a significant shift towards energy efficiency, sustainable heating, and improved insulation, according to the latest information released by Rijksdienst van Ondernemend Nederland (RVO).
The annual report provides a detailed overview of energy use and sustainability measures across the built environment, aiding property owners, managers, and policymakers. The monitor includes data on energy consumption, savings, prices, and energy labels, and this year marks the first time it also highlights trends in sustainable mobility, such as the rising use of electric vehicles.
The sharp decline in gas consumption is evident across the country. In 2020, Dutch households consumed an average of 1,381 cubic meters of gas annually. By 2024, this number had fallen to 1,040 cubic meters, a 24.7 percent drop. This trend is driven by increasing energy-saving behavior and the adoption of alternative heating sources, the report states.
"Households are making greater efforts to reduce their gas usage by adopting energy-efficient practices and transitioning to more sustainable heating systems," the RVO report said. "This trend is expected to continue, with nearly 25 percent of homeowners indicating plans to implement energy-saving measures within the next three years."
The shift is further supported by data from Independer, which shows that gas consumption continues to fall across the country. In the southern province of Limburg, gas use dropped by 28.2 percent over five years, the largest decrease of any region. Other provinces such as Drenthe and Gelderland also showed substantial reductions in their gas consumption, with Drenthe seeing a 27.6 percent decrease and Gelderland dropping by 26.7 percent.
A key factor behind the gas reduction is the increased use of alternative heating methods, including air conditioning systems. According to Joris Kerkhof, an energy expert at Independer, the popularity of air conditioners, particularly in Limburg, has grown as a more affordable option for home heating. Nearly 28 percent of households in Limburg now use air conditioning units, compared to 7 percent to 17 percent in other provinces. "The rise in air conditioning use is directly linked to the high cost of gas, as more households seek to find cheaper heating alternatives," Kerkhof said.
The introduction of electric vehicle charging points has also contributed to the evolving energy landscape. By September 2024, there were 604,000 household charging stations in the Netherlands, a substantial increase from 63,000 in 2016. These charging points consumed about 3 petajoules of electricity in 2023, equivalent to 4 percent of total household electricity use.
Despite the overall decline, gas consumption varies significantly by region. Drenthe, for example, remains the highest gas-consuming province, with an average use of 1,160 cubic meters per household in 2024, down from 1,603 cubic meters in 2020. In contrast, provinces like Flevoland and Noord-Holland have the lowest gas consumption, with averages just above 1,000 cubic meters.
"The higher gas use in regions like Drenthe is largely due to the types of homes in these areas," Kerkhof explained. "Larger, detached houses require more energy to heat, compared to smaller, terraced homes found in densely populated areas like the Randstad."
The shift towards lower gas consumption is also evident in the increasing number of households using less than 1,000 cubic meters of gas annually. In 2020, only 25 percent of households used less than 1,000 cubic meters, but by 2024, that figure had risen to over 40 percent. The growth is particularly pronounced in Drenthe, where the percentage of households using less than 1,000 cubic meters has more than doubled, from 16.8 percent in 2020 to 38.6 percent in 2024.
The rising cost of gas has also driven this change. Since 2021, the price of gas has increased by 63 percent, from 0.80 euros per cubic meter in 2021 to 1.30 euros in 2024. "The energy crisis of 2022 made many households realize how expensive gas can be," said Kerkhof. "This, combined with the rising price of gas, has pushed many people to explore alternative heating methods, such as air conditioning or electric heating systems."
One of the most notable shifts in heating practices is the rapid rise in air conditioning units. According to data from CBS, the number of households with air conditioning has increased dramatically, from just over 230,000 in 2019 to more than 1.3 million in 2023. Limburg leads the country in air conditioning use, with nearly 28 percent of households relying on the technology.
Kerkhof explained that air conditioning has become an attractive option for many households, as it is cheaper to operate than traditional gas heating. "A typical household can save 2.83 euros per day by using an air conditioning unit for heating instead of gas. Over the course of a year, this can lead to savings of over 500 euros," he said.
Despite its cost-effectiveness, air conditioning has some environmental concerns. "While air conditioning can help lower heating costs, the refrigerants used in these units can have a negative impact on the environment if they are released," Kerkhof added. "It's important for consumers to be aware of the environmental consequences of these systems."
