Electricity prices: Comparison, possibilities, reduction
Electricity prices – The price of electricity is subject to very strong fluctuations. For many decades, there was an energy monopoly of individual regional suppliers. Customers had to conclude their contract with the supplier that was located in their town. There was no choice. Since the monopoly was opened up, you have a choice of many different suppliers. Some are still regionally based. Others offer nationwide contracts. The price of electricity has not become cheaper as a result of the opening of the market and the greater competition it has brought. In fact, the opposite is true. Electricity prices have risen continuously in recent years.
Reduce rising electricity costs
You benefit from the switching option because you can look for another electricity provider. However, you often have to be prepared to switch suppliers on a regular basis. The reason for this is that many electricity providers calculate particularly favourable prices for new customers. In addition, there are bonuses that apply only to new customers. These additionally reduce the price. If you can no longer take advantage of these bonuses after the end of the first contract period, it will be significantly more expensive for you. However, since you can always cancel your contract after a price increase, you will have a new switching option.
Investments in renewable energies make prices more expensive
Customers in Germany pay the highest electricity prices in Europe, and there is no end in sight to this upward spiral. The fees for the use of the grids, the procurement costs for electricity, but also levies for the generation of environmentally friendly energies from wind, water and sun cost a lot of money.
After the decision on the abolition of nuclear energy from 2011, high investments in renewable energies were created in Germany. The enormous costs had to be borne by the consumer. Recent electricity increases are due to the procurement costs for energy, which have also risen sharply. As a result, reductions in levies, for example for green electricity, no longer have any positive effect at all. They only slightly mitigate the price increases. In 2019, the price of a kilowatt hour of electricity in Germany will be just under 29 cents on average. In comparison, 15 years ago it was just under 18 cents. And the end of the price spiral has certainly not yet been reached.
Effectively reduce electricity costs
Reducing electricity costs is not only possible by choosing a cheaper supplier. You can also save electricity in your everyday life. Invest in appliances that are designated as energy efficient and outlets that can be turned off. That way, attached appliances won’t consume electricity when they’re idle.
Further information on ancillary costs
DSL price – You should pay attention to this
An Internet connection is now standard in every household. More than 95% of all households have concluded a contract for the use of the Internet. The charges are part of the fixed costs of running the household. The internet has entered many areas of life and has become indispensable for many people. As a property owner, you are responsible for getting a connection to your home.
- Learn more about
DSL and Internet here.
Natural gas price: supplier, comparison
The price of natural gas is set by the energy supplier. For decades there was a monopoly of the regional suppliers, so that you as a customer had no possibility to influence the natural gas price. This has now changed. The monopoly has fallen, and you can have a say in the price by making comparisons and choosing a cheap supplier in your area. There are utilities that offer their services nationwide. Others operate exclusively on a regional basis.
- Learn more about
natural gas prices here.