Additional payments of up to several thousand euros for electricity and gas cause many to become warm. The current rule is: Get out of flexible rates, because things aren’t getting any better at the moment.
Payments of this magnitude are not easy to digest. Even if these can now be paid in installments. Floating rate customers are hit the hardest. Flexible pricing based on wholesale. The example of family N shows the difference this makes with fixed prices: they burned about 1000 kilowatt hours less gas than their neighbors: “Thanks to the fixed price they pay about 1000 euros less than we do.”
4741.47 euros as an additional payment
A retired couple from St. Pölten was hit particularly hard. The additional payment is good for 4741.47 euros. “We have lowered our thermostat for the heating season from 23 to 20 degrees and will heat two hours less per day. We bought cherry pit cushions to protect against cold feet and hands.”
Anyone who has already received their annual statement is ‘lucky’. The high prices only had a short impact on them. For everyone else, this will have a greater impact. Experts such as E-Control boss Wolfgang Urbantschitsch recommend the first step to quickly switch from floating rates to fixed prices.
Consumption must be “drasically reduced”
Consumption must also be “drasically reduced” through measures, emphasizes Franz Angerer, director of the Austrian Energy Agency. Family B. also wants to pay attention to which devices are left at home because of the high additional payment for electricity. “Until now, you could reasonably estimate the costs. That is no longer the case,” said the Lower Austrians.
Don’t count on rising purchase prices
Some customers also had to inadvertently change rates because their energy supplier had canceled. They offered fixed prices for certain periods, but probably didn’t expect purchase prices to rise. Customers then had no choice but to conclude short-term contracts with other providers with more expensive rates if they did not want to be without gas or electricity.
VKI considers the procedure inadmissible
The Consumer Information Association (VKI) finds the procedure inadmissible and helps with sample letters. “In some cases the dismissal was withdrawn, but in some cases legal proceedings are underway for clarification,” said lawyer Thomas Hirmke. Price reductions are not in sight, experts say. For now, all that remains is to save in all respects.
E-Control boss Wolfgang Urbantschitsch gives valuable tips for customers in the “Krone” interview and explains: “There is now a right to installment payments”.
„krone“: Has a ceiling been reached for energy costs?
Wolfgang Urbantschitsch: In general, the high price level in the wholesale market has now leveled off with a very slight downward trend. This is just an inventory from today’s perspective. Events such as a disruption of the gas supply from Russia can have further consequences.
What additional costs should you take into account?
For electricity with a maximum of 150 euros per year, if you z. B. consumes about 3500 kWh. For gas, the price increase can be up to 300 euros with an average consumption of 15,000 kWh/year.
What if I still have a float rate?
Get off the rate right away! Whoever still has it has paid very high prices for nine months.
What options do I have if an additional payment becomes too much for me?
There is now a legal right to installment payments. A minimum of twelve monthly installments must be granted, under certain conditions up to the age of 18. This possibility should also be pointed out in the annual accounts and reminders. E-Control also provides information about which charities help organizations.
What tips do you have for consumers?
You now need to look at how you can reduce energy consumption. It would be good, for example, to have the gas boiler serviced or the windows checked for leaks. If you own a home, you should probably ask yourself whether gas is still the right energy source for heating.
How sensible is a change of supplier right now?
With an existing customer contract in pretty good shape, I’m afraid you won’t find a better new customer offering. You can view the situation, view the rate calculator at e-control.at or get advice from the energy line (0800 21 20 20).
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
