District heating: Price comparison – financial expert warns of unexpected costs

District heating: Price comparison – financial expert warns of unexpected costs

According to a report by www.t-online.de,

Many households in Germany use district heating for hot water preparation and heating - and at varying prices. The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations has found that there are significant price differences for district heating in Germany. A single-family home in Cologne pays almost twice as much for district heating as a household in Saarbrücken. Prices vary from 27 cents per kilowatt hour in Cologne to 15 cents per kilowatt hour in Saarbrücken. The total annual price is therefore 4,855 euros for the Cologne household and 2,728 euros for the Saarbrücken household.

Another report shows that households in Weusthoffstrasse in Hamburg have to pay the most for district heating at 38 cents per kilowatt hour, followed by Güstrow and Barsbüttel with 36 cents/kWh each. On the other hand, households in Dietzenbach and Holzkirchen, as well as in Saarbrücken, only pay 15 cents/kWh.

Critics criticize the energy suppliers' monopoly position in district heating and point out that customers have no opportunity to change supplier if they are dissatisfied with the prices or service. There is also a lack of comparison options for district heating customers, which makes it difficult for them to assess whether the heat price is appropriate.

The impact of these differences can be significant, both for the market and for consumers. Households in expensive regions could face high financial burdens from heating costs, while regions with lower prices become more attractive to consumers. This could lead to consumers in more expensive regions looking for alternative, cheaper heating methods, ultimately increasing pressure on district heating suppliers.

Overall, it is important that price differences and the monopoly position of energy suppliers in district heating are closely monitored to ensure that consumers are treated fairly and pay appropriate prices.