Heating costs: consumer advice center warns of heavy additional payments – “at worst, twice as high”

Created: 05/05/2022 15:17

By: Lisa Mayerhofer

Energy prices have reached record highs in recent months.

Many consumers are now trembling before the additional payment for heating costs next autumn.

(Iconic image) © Patrick Pleul/dpa

Energy prices have reached record highs in recent months.

Many consumers are now trembling before paying back heating costs in the fall.

Munich – The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February has caused oil and gas prices to skyrocket again.

Germany is heavily dependent on Russian energy supplies;

there are currently no signs of an easing of the situation.

Rising oil and gas prices are driving up heating bills

For the year alone, the price of a liter of heating oil has risen by a good 140 percent to EUR 1.40 per liter (as of May 5). With natural gas, things look even grimmer with an increase of almost 190 percent. Even with the After the oil crisis in 1973 and the global financial crisis in 2008, energy costs did not rise as much.

In view of the development, consumers in Germany are threatened with heavy back payments for heating costs next autumn.

spoke to the energy consultant Gisela Kienzle from the Bavarian consumer advice center about what consumers need to be prepared for – and how they can protect themselves against high costs.

Consumers should get an overview of heating costs

Tenants in particular often feel helpless: After all, they can't choose how their apartment is heated.

In addition, many do not know how high their heating costs are at the moment.

You can read off the measuring devices yourself, but this is only of limited significance because the numbers are in relation to the building as a whole, explains Kienzle.

A monthly overview of heating costs has also recently become mandatory, but this only applies if digital measuring devices are installed.

Kienzle advises: "In order to get an overview of your heating costs, you should definitely seek a conversation with the landlord.

They can tell you how much more you have to pay.

In principle, it already makes sense to build up reserves, to heat less and to use hot water less, so that there are no nasty surprises in the fall.”

However, according to the energy consultant, the individual situation is so different that not everyone is equally affected by the record oil and gas prices: "With gas heating, the price depends on the contract that the property management or the owner has concluded.

With an oil heating system, you may be lucky as a tenant and the property management tanked up so much inexpensive oil last year that it is sufficient for this year.”

Heating costs: In the worst case, the bill doubles

Nevertheless, consumers would generally have to reckon with rising energy prices, especially for oil and gas heating.

However, according to Kienzle, the costs can vary greatly - and range from an increase of a few percent to a doubling of the bill.

The heating costs are not only dependent on the energy source and supply contract, but also on the weather and user behavior.

The energy consultant emphasizes that this can result in a different result for everyone when it comes to paying back heating costs.

The Heizspiegel 2021, among other things, helps with an initial assessment of the additional heating costs.

With this and the increased costs it can also be shown that in the worst case the heating costs can double: Two people live in a poorly insulated old building (built in 1992).

You have about 60 square meters of living space, heated with an oil heater.

According to Heizspiegel, the couple pays 12 euros per square meter and thus around 720 euros a year in heating costs.

If the oil had to be bought fresh while the price of oil had increased by a factor of two, the couple may then have to shell out 24 euros per square meter.

This doubles the heating costs to 1440 euros per year.

"In the worst case, that can happen to consumers, but maybe they're lucky and their property manager has concluded a good energy contract," emphasizes the energy consultant.

However, she already recommends that consumers calculate the costs, make provisions and save energy.

Simple ways to save energy

Because if you heat efficiently, you can at least contain the increased costs, explains Kienzle.

“If you lower the room temperature by one degree, for example, you can save six percent on energy costs.

When energy prices are high, there is a high potential for savings if you lower the temperature by two to three degrees.” Also helpful: Heat continuously at a low level instead of simply turning the controller up to level five to keep the room warm.

"Furthermore, you should not place any curtains or furniture in front of the radiators and vent them regularly," recommends the energy consultant.

You can also save money on hot water: “When you’re soaping up in the shower or brushing your teeth, it’s worth turning off the tap.

You can also buy a flow reducer that regulates the water consumption at the shower head - without you noticing anything when using it," explains Kienzle.

Anyone who would like more detailed information or needs help with heating bills can contact the Bavarian consumer advice centre.

She offers those seeking advice a free 45-minute consultation on 0800 809 802 400.