54.5% of Poles use LPG

How do Poles use LPG?

From the results of the survey, it can be concluded that only 490 of the 1,077 respondents (45.5%) had no contact with LPG as an energy source in the past 3 years. The largest group of respondents, consisting of 269 people, used LPG for food preparation. This indicates widespread use of LPG as a cooking fuel. 168 respondents out of 1,077 (15.6%) used autogas to power their vehicles - roughly equivalent to the share of passenger cars with autogas installations in the entire transport fleet in Poland. Based on CSO data, 3.4 million of the 25.8 million (13.3%) vehicles registered in the country are equipped with such an installation. LPG as the most popular alternative fuel in Poland is holding strong. It is worth recalling that Poland is the largest autogas market in Europe, and Polish producers of autogas installations have built unique competencies from scratch over the past two decades and are today shining triumphs on world markets.

160 survey participants mentioned using LPG for recreational purposes - in garden kitchens, gas barbecues, campers, etc. 70 respondents (6.5%) used backyard tanks as a heat source for the home. This is one of the most important markets for the industry as the old classless coal stoves still prevalent in rural areas are being replaced with efficient condensing boilers. A similar number of respondents - the vast majority of them men - used LPG at work: in forklifts, for roofing work and for metalworking and cutting.

LPG is a fuel particularly common in sparsely urbanized areas. The percentage of respondents living in cities with more than 20,000 residents who say they have no contact with LPG fluctuates between 53-56%. In towns with less than 20,000 residents, on the contrary, 62% of respondents use LPG. LPG should be discussed with residents of rural areas - they know the most about it, because they use it every day. They also have the best opinion about LPG. 61% of our respondents felt that LPG is a good option as an energy carrier in rural areas - in small towns the percentage reached 65%.

Selection factors and advantages of LPG

We asked our respondents about key factors in choosing LPG. One of the key factors that emerged from the survey is the convenience of LPG. A total of 203 users highlighted the ease of operation and maintenance of the gas system as an important reason for choosing LPG as a fuel source. This is true for vehicle users, as well as for heating or food preparation installations. Using gas is easy and the installations are trouble-free.

An important factor, whose position on the list came as somewhat of a surprise, is the need to choose LPG in the absence of alternative options - indicated by as many as 179 respondents. This means that for some consumers, LPG is the only viable choice due to the unavailability or limited availability of fuel alternatives. This is usually due to living outside the reach of the infrastructure - heating or gas - or the lack of affordable options that users would consider as an alternative. This option was chosen more often by women than men (33.5% vs. 27%).

The competitive price of the fuel proved to be another important factor in consumers' choice of LPG, with 162 people indicating it as the main motive for their decision. LPG has long been recognized for its cost-effectiveness compared to traditional fossil fuels, but price motivation was indicated only in third place by our respondents.

Convenience of use, necessity in the absence of alternatives, and competitive LPG prices are the key factors considered by consumers. Other indications include the fact that it's a proven technology and environmental qualities - the latter more often indicated by men than women (20% vs. 14%).

We also asked respondents about the most important advantages of LPG in their opinion. While the question about factors for choosing LPG only asked users who had used the fuel in the past 3 years, we asked everyone about the advantages, which allows us to compare the answers to both questions.

Respondents were asked to rank in order (from 1 to 7) the advantages they consider most important to the user. In this case, the low price of LPG compared to other energy sources is overwhelmingly considered the most important factor by users. As many as 32% of respondents indicated this factor as the most important. This indicates that affordability as an advantage of LPG is identified by the largest group of Poles, although it is not necessarily the most important factor for everyone in choosing LPG!

A solid second place in the ranking of the most important advantages of LPG highlighted by respondents was the evaluation of LPG as a proven and reliable technology that has been available on the market for decades: 17% of respondents placed this advantage in 1st place, and 18% in second place. This demonstrates the confidence Poles have in LPG as a reliable energy option.

Two other features received almost equal importance according to respondents - widespread availability of LPG and convenience of operating gas installations were considered equally important advantages. The availability of LPG in a variety of locations provides users with easy access to fuel, while the convenience of operating LPG systems - indicated by users as the most important factor in choosing this technology over another - offers a user-friendly experience.

Important air quality

17% of respondents ranked environmental qualities as the most important factor in their choice of LPG installation. So while Poles point to lower emissions compared to other energy carriers as the 5th-6th most important advantage of LPG, they appreciate its importance in improving air quality. As many as 61% respond positively to the question of whether replacing coal stoves with condensing gas boilers will help reduce smog.

This confirms the positive perception as an alternative energy source among the Polish population. Switching to LPG for heating has a number of advantages

• First, LPG is a cleaner fuel compared to coal, emitting fewer pollutants and reducing the overall carbon footprint. This translates into a significant improvement in air quality, especially in areas with a high concentration of coal-based heating systems. By reducing the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere, LPG boilers contribute to mitigating smog, which is a serious environmental problem in many Polish suburban areas.
• Using LPG boilers also offers practical advantages. LPG is readily available and can be easily stored, making it a convenient option for households and businesses. This not only reduces energy expenses for consumers, but also reduces domestic demand for coal, leading to a more sustainable energy landscape. The positive perception as a viable alternative to coal is further supported by other studies and statistics. Studies by expert centers have shown that the use of LPG as a heating fuel can reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, all of which are harmful to human health and the environment.

The survey results reflect a growing consensus among the Polish public about the benefits of LPG as an alternative to coal. This shift in perception is key to addressing the environmental and health challenges associated with burning fossil fuels. It is encouraging that the majority of respondents recognize the positive impact on air quality and are willing to use this cleaner and more sustainable energy source.

We would like to remind you of the conclusions of a webinar organized by the Polish LPG Organization in cooperation with the Cracow University of Economics on the issue of heating buildings :

Replacing old coal boilers with gas heating or heat pumps would lead to the practical elimination of low emissions (particulate matter and benzopyrene). It would also mean a reduction in_CO2 emissions in the buildings sector - by about 61-65% for gas heating, and by more than 50% for compressor heat pumps. These values take into account indirect emissions that result from the generation of electricity under the conditions of Poland's energy mix.

51% of those surveyed also rate the installation of LPG systems for internal combustion vehicles as helping to improve air quality and reduce smog. This result underscores the positive perception as a solution to environmental issues. The use of LPG as an alternative fuel can significantly reduce emissions of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. According to POGP estimates, the use of LPG in place of traditional fuels in 3 million cars in Poland contributes to an annual reduction in_CO2 emissions of about 1 million tons. In addition, LPG is a cost-effective option compared to gasoline or diesel, making it an attractive choice for car owners.

The same percentage of respondents - 51% - recognize that autogas enables comfortable travel in Europe. This conclusion is based on the widespread availability of LPG at gas stations, as reflected in the recent debate on the European Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR); the European Commission concluded that LPG infrastructure is so widespread compared to fuel distributors such as LNG, CNG or electric car chargers that it does not require additional support.

What kind of heating at home?

The positive perception of LPG as a heating medium persists despite the industry's relatively low investment in communication. Respondents asked which heating technology ads reach Poles most often have no doubt - they are inundated with heat pump ads. Not surprisingly, spending on the promotion of heat pumps far exceeds spending on the promotion of other heating technologies. This demonstrates the very expansive marketing strategy of pump distributors over the past two years. By investing in the advertising of heat pumps, companies aim to increase their market share and encourage the spread of this technology among the Polish population. An analysis by the Association of Manufacturers and Importers of Heating Equipment for 3Q 2023 reads:

Last year we had a record increase in sales of these devices, the result of very intensive promotion of this technology by experts and EU politicians, while at the same time including in PR activities an extensive campaign for
to move away from gas. Such activities, resulted in a large increase in interest in heat pump technology, also among users whose homes are not adapted to the use of this form of heating, which began to lead to more and more negative opinions about heat pumps, which was the result not of the fact that the technology is bad, but rather the inexpertness of the installation and selection of these devices. (...)

Solar technologies also occupy a prominent position in the advertising landscape. It should be noted, however, that respondents often confuse photovoltaics with solar panels, because, according to SPIUG's assessment, consumers still know little about collector technology.

POGP's survey highlights the overwhelming presence of heat pumps in promotional activities and emphasizes the importance of educating the public in the heating transformation process. Companies and policymakers should make informed decisions to further promote sustainable heating solutions and contribute to the country's overall energy transition - not relying solely on the scale of marketing efforts by suppliers of particular technologies.

Nevertheless, heat pump advertisements are having an impact on consumer purchase preferences. When asked which heat source they would choose for a new home not connected to a district heating or gas network, respondents indicate heat pumps in first place, solar panels, probably often confused with photovoltaic installations, in second, and hybrid installations (e.g., a gas boiler and heat pump) in third. Only the next place was taken by LPG-fueled condensing boilers. Coal-fired boilers round out the table of preferred technologies.

It is worth noting that the question posed concerned only new homes, for which a heat pump or hybrid system will often be a favorable solution. For existing buildings, especially those with lower energy efficiency ratings, gas heating remains an economically attractive proposition. According to estimates by SPIUG:

What can be seen, however, is a renewed interest in gas, a shortage of which no one fears anymore, and media reports as to the price of electricity in 2024 are cooling investors against buying heat pumps.

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