Press Releases - 26.01.2024
Eschborn, January 26, 2024: Consumers in Germany are likely to expect higher additional payments for their heating costs this year in some cases. These are the findings of an analysis of price and consumption trends conducted by the energy service provider Techem for 2023. The reason for this is the renewed – albeit less sharp - rise in the cost of fossil fuels, as figures from the Federal Statistical Office show. According to these figures, the cost of gas rose by 14.5 percent, district heating by 9.8 percent and electricity by 12.6 percent. This resulted in increased room heating costs for the respective energy sources of 11.7 percent (gas), 7.1 percent (district heating) and 9.8 percent (electricity). In contrast, the price of oil fell by 20.6% compared to the previous year, resulting in a 22.6% reduction in heating costs – although it had already risen by more than 60% in 2022.
As in 2022, energy costs for cities and municipalities in Germany are rising, even when it is warmer outside. According to the German Weather Service, 2023 was around three percent warmer than the previous year. Even in January, which is normally cold, the temperature in Germany was significantly higher than in previous years, averaging 3.5 degrees Celsius.
Image information: Despite low consumption, high additional payments are to be expected. (Copyright: Alexander Raths | Fotolia)
Saxony and Bavaria have successfully cut costs
Some cities in Saxony and Bavaria were particularly successful in saving energy, including Munich (-5.5%), Cottbus (-5.3%) and Bamberg (-5%). Some municipalities in the southwest are facing higher costs despite their efforts to save energy - these include Freudenstadt (+1.6 percent), Saarbrücken-Ensheim (+0.6 percent) and Constance (+0.5 percent). The differences between the regions become even clearer when looking at the increase in room heating costs for gas: this was around 8 percent in Munich, but twice as high in Freudenstadt at 16 percent.
“The data from 2023 shows that efforts to reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency are working in many places,” commented Matthias Hartmann, CEO of Techem. “Despite short-term fluctuations in energy prices, long-term investments in the efficient use of energy and technological innovations remain important in order to effectively reduce energy consumption and costs. For example, previously untapped potential of around 10 - 15 percent can be leveraged through optimized monitoring and operational management alone. In addition, all market participants - from consumers to political decision-makers - must have access to precise data in order to be able to make informed decisions. After all, measuring creates awareness and thus continues to form the basis for reducing energy consumption.”
This consumption forecast is based on temperature data from the German Weather Service for the years 2022 to 2023, as well as data from the Federal Statistical Office on the prices of various energy sources in the respective period. Whether additional costs will arise for consumers and how high these will be can be determined once the bill has been prepared.
About Techem
Techem is a leading service provider for smart and sustainable buildings. The company's services cover energy management and resource conservation, residential health and process efficiency in real estate. Founded in 1952, the company is now active in 18 countries with around 4,300 employees and services more than 13 million homes. Techem offers efficiency improvements along the entire value chain of heat and water in real estate. As the market leader in remote radio detection of energy consumption in homes, Techem continues to drive networking and digital processes in real estate. Modern radio smoke detectors with remote inspection and services related to improving drinking water quality in properties complement the solution portfolio for the housing industry. For more information, visit www.techem.com/corp/en.
