Difference between revisions of "Germany/Housing/Electricity"

From Expat Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Add Ostrom.)
Line 23: Line 23:
  
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{FAQ/Item|q=How to order and pay an electricity supplier?|a=
+
{{FAQ/Item|q=How to order an electricity supplier?|a=
  
 
* Find out whether your '''warm water''' is heated by
 
* Find out whether your '''warm water''' is heated by
 
** your own electricity,
 
** your own electricity,
 
** or instead by gas or even delivered from your landlord (central heating)  
 
** or instead by gas or even delivered from your landlord (central heating)  
−
* '''Estimate''' your consumption. Typical:
+
* Given this information, '''estimate your consumption''' (see below).
−
** 1-person household: 1600 kWh (no water heating) / 2100 kWh (with water heating)
+
−
** 2-person household: 2300 kWh (no water heating) / 3400 kWh (with water heating)
 
−
** 3-person household: 3100 kWh (no water heating) / 4400 kWh (with water heating)
 
−
** 4-person household: 4000 kWh (no water heating) / 5500 kWh (with water heating)
 
−
** 5-person household: 4500 kWh (no water heating) / 6700 kWh (with water heating)
 
 
* '''Compare''' providers or '''pick''' a provider from the list below. Key factors to look at:
 
* '''Compare''' providers or '''pick''' a provider from the list below. Key factors to look at:
 
** ''Grundpreis'' (basic fee): fixed fee to pay per month
 
** ''Grundpreis'' (basic fee): fixed fee to pay per month
Line 43: Line 39:
 
** If you used '''less''' than your estimation, you will '''get money back''' and your monthly prepayment rate will be '''lowered'''.
 
** If you used '''less''' than your estimation, you will '''get money back''' and your monthly prepayment rate will be '''lowered'''.
 
** If you used '''more''' than your estimation, you will need to '''pay the difference''' and your monthly prepayment rate will be '''raised'''.
 
** If you used '''more''' than your estimation, you will need to '''pay the difference''' and your monthly prepayment rate will be '''raised'''.
 +
 +
}}
 +
{{FAQ/Item|q=How do I estimate my electricity consumption?|a=
 +
 +
You can go by '''average consumptions per year''' of German households, as shown in the table below. Additionally, '''ideal consumptions''' are shown (if savings potentials are used). <ref>{{Cite|date=2022-06-20|url=https://www.check24.de/strom/stromverbrauch/|quote=Stromverbrauch: Durchschnittsverbrauch Strom}}</ref>
 +
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
 
}}
 
}}
  

Revision as of 23:06, 20 June 2022

If you don't sublet from someone but rent an apartment on your name, you likely need make a contract with an electricity provider. This supplier will bill you on the electricity that you use for/from:

  • lights
  • power sockets
  • stove & oven (if electric)
  • water heating (if electric)

(All your other energy consumption, especially for heating will be part of your *Warmmiete* (warm rent), which you pay to your landlord and which is billed by them).

Questions & Answers

When do I need an electricity provider?

  • If you rent an apartment or house directly from a landlord.

You usually don't need an electricity contract

  • when you sublet an apartment or room (from another person).
  • when you rent your apartment / room with an "all inclusive" contract like via Airbnb or similar.

If in doubt, ask your landlord.

How to order an electricity supplier?

  • Find out whether your warm water is heated by
    • your own electricity,
    • or instead by gas or even delivered from your landlord (central heating)
  • Given this information, estimate your consumption (see below).
  • Compare providers or pick a provider from the list below. Key factors to look at:
    • Grundpreis (basic fee): fixed fee to pay per month
    • Arbeitspreis (consumption price): what you pay per kWh used
    • bonuses: are often available for new customers (but some are only paid out after a year, so be careful to check also cancellation policies)
  • Order online
  • Based on your consumption estimation, they calculate a monthly prepayment rate for you. Pay that rate now every month.
  • After a year (usually), they measure your actual consumption.
    • If you used less than your estimation, you will get money back and your monthly prepayment rate will be lowered.
    • If you used more than your estimation, you will need to pay the difference and your monthly prepayment rate will be raised.

How do I estimate my electricity consumption?

You can go by average consumptions per year of German households, as shown in the table below. Additionally, ideal consumptions are shown (if savings potentials are used). [1]


Find an Electricity Provider

List of Electricity Providers

Compare Electricity Providers


More guides

Notes

  1. ↑ "Stromverbrauch: Durchschnittsverbrauch Strom" – source, retrieved 2022-06-20
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 This is an affiliate link. If you click on it and then buy something or sign up for a service, we may earn a commission which covers our expenses. This does not change the price for you.

Retrieved from "https://expatwiki.org/index.php?title=Germany/Housing/Electricity&oldid=1809"