According to energy services provider ista, almost one in two people (46 per cent) has to make an additional payment for 2023 because their actual heating costs were higher than the advance payments made, while 43 per cent receives a refund. However, the survey found that 47 per cent of tenants have not yet received a heating bill for the previous year at all. ista draws the figures from a representative population survey by the polling institute YouGov.
Heating costs at a high level in 2023
Meanwhile, a recent analysis of the 800,000 heating bills for 2023 processed by ista to date shows that heating costs were already high during this accounting period. 2024 could be more expensive still. “Our analysis of the bills already available indicates a high level of heating costs even for 2023. Yet this is barely reflected in consumers’ expectations: at the start of the new heating season, almost two thirds intend to carry on heating as before. For many people, the heating bill apparently arrives too late and is not sufficient on its own. We need greater transparency so that consumers can adjust their behaviour in good time,” says ista CEO Hagen Lessing.
According to the survey, fewer than one third of tenants in Germany now intend to use heating more sparingly than before. By comparison, in an earlier population survey at the beginning of 2023, after energy prices had fallen again following the energy crisis, almost two thirds said that they intended to turn down their thermostats. The survey also shows that more of the tenants who have already received their service charge statement intend to heat more economically (35 per cent) than those still waiting for their statement (27 per cent).
800,000 heating bills already analysed
According to ista’s analyses, a 70-square-metre flat heated by natural gas or district heating can expect heating costs of more than 800 euros for 2023. Oil heating costs around 1,100 euros. This was the finding of a recent analysis of the 800,000 heating bills already processed by ista. Nevertheless, at 63 per cent, the majority of tenants intend to carry on heating as they have done during the heating season now beginning. In view of the price caps and the VAT reduction, both of which have now expired, this is likely to become significantly more expensive in many cases. In addition, CO2 prices rise every year.