Electricity and gas prices: Consumer advocates: Households should check energy costs

Consumer advocates have encouraged households in Germany to check a change of provider for electricity and gas. Anyone who is currently still receiving electricity from the basic supplier or having not changed the provider for a long time can protect their own budget budget by changing, said the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center.

“In the basic supply, an average of 40.5 cents per kilowatt hour plus 170 euros in basic price per year pays an unnecessary high electricity price,” said energy expert Christina Wallraf. A household with a consumption of 3,000 kilowatt hours per year can save an average of EUR 330 per year with a change from the electricity provider. “Also consumers: inside that have not changed for a long time often pay too high a price.”

According to the Federal Network Agency, households in Germany received 25 percent of electricity in Germany through basic care contracts. In the case of gas, the quota was 19 percent.

Consumer center: electricity from 31 cents, gas from 11 cents

Many energy providers offer cheap tariffs that are below the basic supply prices, said Wallraf. “Currently, working prices from around 31 cents per kilowatt hour are available for electricity, prices from around 11 cents per kilowatt hour are available for gas.” In addition to basic care, many municipal utilities also offer inexpensive tariffs. “Consumers: Inside, the prices on the market should compare with the prices of their current contract and thus calculate their savings potential,” said Wallraf.

For a comparison, online comparison portals are practical instruments. However, certain filters that limit the pre -selection should be switched off. Before changing, households should use a short internet research to check whether the provider has noticed negatively in the past, advised the consumer advice center.