Rush for electric heaters and wood stoves: This is how the district is preparing for the winter

Created: 07/20/2022, 05:35

By: Max Wochinger

In front of his fireplace: Norbert Strama from Neubiberg is guaranteed not to freeze in winter.

© Marc Oliver Write

Energy prices are at a record high, and concerns about supply bottlenecks are growing.

The county is bracing for an uncertain winter with electric heaters and wood-burning stoves.

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Norbert Strama from Neubiberg has been thinking about how he wants to heat his house in the future for a few weeks.

Exploding energy prices and possible supply gaps have given the former shoemaker food for thought.

"You don't know if there is still gas?" Now he has to find his way in a jungle of forms of heating and funding opportunities.

Gas heating is installed in Strama's house and there is an open fireplace.

He has previously paid 600 euros a year for gas.

"Now the price of gas has almost doubled," he says.

In the long term, he wants deep heat or a solar system.

"I don't have to change this winter yet"

The federal government warns against stopping gas exports from Russia, there could be supply gaps in winter, as does Stadtwerke München (see box).

Time is running out.

"I don't have to change this winter yet," says Strama.

He will probably concentrate on his second source of heat this year: the wood stove.

Many people in the district think like Norbert Strama: the demand for wood-burning stoves and electric heaters has risen sharply.

"All hell is loose here," said Silke Göhler from the stove construction and plumbing company of the same name in Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn.

Up to 30 customers would call a day, most of which she had to cancel.

Temperatures above 30 degrees usually don't encourage you to buy a wood stove.

In the crisis year 2022 it is different.

"People are taking what they can get right now"

This is also reflected in the availability: Although wood stoves are delivered to Göhler's company from time to time, many orders will not arrive before April 2023.

There is only one piece of advice she can give her customers: call again in November.

Günther Hiltl, store manager of the Hagebau branch in Unterhaching, has also noticed that citizens are looking for alternatives to gas and oil.

The demand for heat waves, radiators and fan heaters has increased significantly.

Whether cheap fan heaters for ten euros or higher-priced devices: "People are currently taking what they can get hold of," says Hiltl.

Expert advises: Better to reduce consumption

The market has recognized the potential of the energy crisis: the management plans to prominently advertise radiators and fan heaters in promotional areas.

Radiators have become more expensive, but prices are still stable, says Hiltl.

In the future, however, they would “adjust within the framework of normal price increases”.

At the moment there are still leftovers from last winter.

"But there is no guarantee that the devices will still be available in the fall," says Hiltl.

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Martin Handke from the Ebersberg-Munich Energy Agency is meanwhile critical of the purchase of electric heaters and stoves: "From an energetic point of view, radiators are a backwards somersault." The electricity and wood prices would also rise in the future due to the additional consumption.

In addition, the environment would be polluted with fine dust.

From the point of view of the energy consultant, there is a simple solution: reduce the consumption of gas and oil.

How long will gas continue to flow into the district?

Stadtwerke München (SWM) is a major gas supplier for the municipalities in the Munich district.

"Until further notice, the security of supply is still guaranteed," the SWM announced.

But things could get tight next winter.

The situation is serious because of the reduced gas supplies.

The federal government has announced the second stage of the “gas emergency plan”.

If the situation continues to deteriorate, the cabinet can declare the third stage.

"Then the state can also actively intervene in the market," says SWM.

In the event of supply bottlenecks, private households, social institutions, hospitals and district heating systems would then be given special protection.

Wherever possible, SWM will use alternative fuels to generate electricity and district heating and dispense with gas, the company announced.

For example, SWM had postponed the already planned conversion of the coal block in the North power plant to natural gas.

The block is "very efficient" and can generate more heat and electricity than in previous years.

In addition, SWM is reactivating two decommissioned oil burners in heating plants.

Stadtwerke makes it clear that saving energy is “the order of the day”.

Those who consume less energy contribute to security of supply, protect the environment and save money.

"Every kilowatt hour of electricity saved reduces the amount of gas used to generate electricity," says Stadtwerke.

More news from the district of Munich can be found here.