Energy crisis: Europeans 'must lower thermostats to prepare for Russia turning off gas supplies'

Heating turned down and boilers adjusted -- these are the measures Europeans need to take to prepare for Russian gas supplies being completely cut, according to a report. 

The EU faces "unprecedented risks" of gas shortages this winter after Russia axed most pipeline shipments amid its war in Ukraine, the International Energy Agency said.

The Paris-based group said homeowners need to turn down thermostats in emergency energy-saving measures to help reduce Europe's gas usage by 13% in preparation for a total gas cut-off. 

"The complete shutdown of Russian pipeline gas supplies to the European Union cannot be excluded ahead of the 2022/23 heating season – when the European gas market is at its most vulnerable," the IEA wrote in its quarterly gas report on Monday. 

The IEA said the EU must focus on getting underground gas reserve levels to 90% of capacity in case of a complete Russian supply shut-off. The EU's storage is currently around 88% of capacity -- above its goal of 80%. 

It also warned Europe it must ensure gas reserves do not drop below 33% this winter so it has enough energy if there is a sudden spell of cold weather. 

Household energy-saving measures -- including turning down thermostats by 1°C and dropping boiler temperatures -- would help boost Europe's gas storage levels, the IEA said. 

These measures should be coordinated with minimising gas burning in the EU's power sector and lowering gas use in buildings, the group said. 

"Our analysis indicates that maintaining adequate storage levels until the end of the heating season -- at 33% of their working storage capacity as a minimum -- will be crucial for a safe and secure winter," the IEA wrote. 

"Storage levels below this threshold might not be sufficient to tackle a