Europe is gearing up for a challenging winter with rising prices and pressures on the European grid (Picture: Shutterstock / Primakov)

In the UK, a year ago just one in ten searches on the topic of energy prices was a ‘why’, ‘how’ or ‘when’ question – now it’s one in four.

Europe is in an energy crisis and Google has launched a new feature to help people find relevant and actionable information to deal with it.

Starting today, when people in the UK search for things like ‘Europe energy crisis’ and ‘energy price’, you’ll see news articles, local information including financial assistance that may be available, and recommended actions from the International Energy Agency to help conserve energy.

This is the case in other parts of Europe as people gear up for a challenging winter with rising prices and pressures on the European grid, driven by Russia’s war in Ukraine, further driving the need for secure, reliable, sustainable and affordable energy sources.

In Germany, search interest for queries like ‘how to save natural gas’, ‘heating cost’ and how to save energy are trending while in Belgium, searches for ‘how to save on gas’ are up more than 5,000% since this time last year.

One in four people in the UK are searching Google about energy prices (Picture: Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/Shutterstock)

Whether it’s turning down the heat or adjusting the settings of your boiler, you will be able to see, at a glance, information about saving energy in your home. These information panels will appear alongside other relevant results from the internet.

‘We know that energy security and affordability are top of mind for many across Europe right now,’ said Matt Brittin, President for Google Europe, Middle East and Africa.

‘People are turning to Google to ask questions about conserving energy and managing their costs,’

The new feature will be available in 29 countries and 22 languages across Europe.

This is not Google’s first product driven by the energy crisis. Earlier this year the tech giant launched updates to Google Maps to help you find more fuel-efficient routes to reduce emissions and costs when you need to drive.

‘Technology can contribute to addressing the challenges facing Europe today. We remain committed to connecting people with timely, relevant, and actionable information when they need it most,’ said Brittin.

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One in four people in the UK are searching Google about energy prices.