Increasing need for energy advice: consumer advice center records 15 percent increase

Increasing need for energy advice: consumer advice center records 15 percent increase

According to a report by www.stern.de, the Thuringia consumer advice center recorded a sharp increase in energy advice last year. More than 10,000 consultation appointments took place, with a third of the cases relating to heating, energy renovation and funding as well as unclear energy bills. This represents an increase of 15 percent compared to 2022.

Board member Ralph Walther cited consumer uncertainty about energy costs and heating systems as the reason for this increase. A frequently asked question was whether oil or gas heating should be replaced with a heat pump. This illustrates the growing need for independent expert advice on energy issues, which the consumer advice center provides.

In view of the increasing demand, the consumer advice center has expanded its offering in the area of ​​energy law and now also offers a free energy law hotline on certain days. In addition to energy issues, problems with telecommunications providers, debt collection agencies and financial advice issues were also addressed.

In total, the Thuringia Consumer Center has twelve advice centers and 26 energy advice bases. However, board member Ralph Walther emphasized that strong consumer protection is only possible with long-term, reliable funding.

The increased demand for energy advice in Thuringia illustrates the increasing importance of consumer information and advice in the energy sector. This can impact the market and consumers by making them more informed and able to make informed decisions regarding energy costs and efficiency. It also shows the importance of independent experts in this field and the need for long-term support of such advisory services.