Challenging price increases: this is how cheaper energy is available
Created: 2022-12-08 09:54
By: Matthew Schneider
Many consumers are shocked by the announced price increases.
But changing providers is easy – if you get the right information.
© Christin Klose/dpa
At the turn of the year, another wave of price increases arrives at energy customers.
But there are often cheaper alternatives.
Overview of how consumers can help themselves.
Munich - High prices are a burden on the economy - and are now also reaching the last consumers.
But you don't have to accept the price increases - and there are often cheap offers.
But despite the energy crisis, the cheapest provider is not always the best.
Electricity: What rights are there in the event of a price increase?
A price increase is only valid if it is formal and announced.
In the case of special tariffs, that is four weeks before they come into effect, and six in the basic service.
In the past, some providers have tried to push through price increases despite price guarantees.
This is not allowed, customers can object to it.
If the price increase is valid, consumers always have a special right of termination.
After that, there are basically two options.
What is the basic service?
Universal service is a service that the largest utility in a network area must offer to the residents of the network area.
If a customer loses their provider - regardless of which party has terminated the contract - they automatically end up in the basic service after a three-month waiting period.
This waiting time is called a replacement supply and is usually significantly more expensive.
According to the Bavarian consumer center, however, customers have the right to be included in the cheaper basic service every day.
A comparison must be made as to whether this is worthwhile: Because the providers have to buy for a longer period of time, the basic supply tariffs only react sluggishly to the wholesale market prices - which is why they were cheaper for a long time than many special tariffs.
You can find out who the basic supplier is from the network operator.
This can be found on the last statement.
What are special tariffs from an electricity supplier?
Special tariffs are the advertisement for a supplier, with which he wants to win customers through the most competitive conditions possible.
In contrast to the basic service tariffs, they are not tied to one location, so they can be taken out from anywhere.
Comparison portals on the Internet, such as
Verivox
or
Check24
, provide an overview of the cheapest providers.
If you have decided to switch - at a contractually possible time - the contract can be concluded online or by telephone.
The new provider then takes over the termination.
Do gas and electricity have to come from the same supplier?
no
The two tariffs work separately from each other.
This is particularly common in rental relationships: the landlord takes care of gas procurement for everyone, electricity is a matter for the individual.
Is a price guarantee worth it?
This question can not be answered on a general basis.
Experts assume that prices have leveled off at a high level and will therefore not change significantly in the coming year.
In view of the tense situation on the energy markets, however, this could change quickly.
Currently, a price guarantee is a bet that can go either way.
also read
Why you should definitely freeze tea lights
Proper heating in winter: what level should I set the heating to?
The price brake is coming soon - is the comparison even worth it?
Christina Wallraf, consultant for energy markets at the consumer advice center NRW says: Yes.
"You have to consider that only 80 percent of consumption is capped, above that the normal tariff applies," says Wallraf.
This means that consumers pay a maximum of 12 cents per kilowatt hour for gas.
"It should be 40 cents for electricity - but that's not set in stone yet." But even if you only use the capped amount, you shouldn't make it too easy for the suppliers, says Wallraf: "You should always go to cheap providers change in order to have a functioning market even after the price brake is in their own interest.”
What do you have to pay attention to?
It is expected that only the working prices will be capped – not the basic prices.
Tariffs that were cheaper before the price brake could end up being more expensive.
Is the cheapest provider the best?
In view of the momentous bankruptcies of various discount providers in the spring, Christina Wallraf from the NRW consumer advice center urges caution: "You should always find out: How long has my provider been on the market?
Have you had any problems with him before?” Because in the event of insolvency, consumers often have a bad chance of enforcing their claims.
Discount providers in particular often buy at very short notice in order to benefit from low wholesale market prices.
As a result, however, they are often less stable than, for example, municipal utilities, which usually buy for longer periods and are therefore somewhat more expensive.
Are high exchange bonuses serious?
"Many providers are currently advertising with high exchange bonuses," says energy expert Wallraf.
They are often financed by higher labor prices – in the hope that the state will pay.
"According to the previous draft law, providers may only offer bonuses worth 50 euros," says Wallraf.
Although it is the provider's obligation to pay for the agreed services, this is of little use if the provider files for bankruptcy.
How can you protect yourself?
"You can't lose money that the supplier doesn't have," says energy expert Christina Wallraf.
Therefore, consumers should only accept bonuses that are paid out immediately.
In addition, consumers should beware of monthly deductions that are too high.
The correct amount is easy to calculate: The consumption of the previous metering year divided by 12 (months) times the energy price per kilowatt hour.
Saving energy: This is how consumers uncover the biggest power guzzlers in the home.
