The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran is prompting shifts in behavior among many Germans, according to a survey commissioned by a comparison portal. The findings, which were cited by newspapers from the Funke Media Group during their Sunday editions, indicate that while simple daily savings are common, most Germans remain hesitant about making a general withdrawal from fossil fuels.
Results show that two-thirds of respondents (67 percent) reported using energy more consciously due to increased costs. Specifically, 56 percent avoided placing technical devices in standby mode, and 52 percent purposefully reduced their overall electricity consumption. Energy conservation measures also included lowering heating (55 percent) and cutting back on hot water usage (47 percent). The effect was visible in transportation as well: 48 percent reported driving less frequently because of high fuel prices. Instead, many Germans were taking to bicycles more often (29 percent) or utilizing buses and trains (24 percent).
However, a quarter of the respondents (27 percent) stated that they were not making any energy savings. For this group, the majority (52 percent) cited having been frugal already and seeing no additional potential for savings. This disposition was particularly strong among the 70- to 79-year-old demographic (65 percent). Furthermore, while 22 percent of those who aren’t conserving felt the impact of rising energy costs in their wallet, they considered it financially manageable. Another 18 percent stated they did not wish to change their daily habits fundamentally, and an equal number reported barely noticing the higher energy costs.
Despite the economic pressure and the heated political debates concerning supply security, fundamentally changing lifestyles away from fossil fuels remains difficult for many. Although nearly a quarter (23 percent) of respondents had already implemented measures, and another 38 percent planned to take such steps, a large group of 40 percent remained passive.
When preventative steps were already in place, the focus was on energy-saving measures (48 percent) and the use of solar energy (68 percent). More intensive investments, such as building insulation (26 percent), modern heating systems (19 percent), or switching to an electric vehicle (22 percent), were implemented significantly less often.
A similar pattern emerged among those who aspire to greater independence from fossil energies. Here, the preference leaned toward consumption reduction (49 percent) and solar solutions (46 percent). Major structural changes, such as installing a new heating system (16 percent) or upgrading building insulation (13 percent), were apparently less appealing to many.
The spike in energy prices in Germany followed the US attack on Iran, where the federal government attempted to cushion the price jump using fuel discounts at gas stations.
The survey was conducted online by the market research institute Innofact in April 2026, surveying 1,013 individuals aged 18 to 79.
