Difference between revisions of "Germany/Housing/Electricity"

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** 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)  
−
* Given this information, '''estimate your consumption''' (see below).
+
* Given this information, '''estimate your consumption''' (see the table below).
−
+
* Know your postal code (Use [https://www.google.com/maps/ Google maps] to find it.)
 
* '''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
 
** ''Arbeitspreis'' (consumption price): what you pay per kWh used
 
** ''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)
 
** bonuses: are often available for new customers (but some are only paid out after a year, so be careful to check also cancellation policies)
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* Order online
+
 
−
* Based on your consumption estimation, they calculate a '''monthly prepayment rate''' for you. Pay that rate now every month.
+
}}
 +
{{FAQ/Item|q=How will I get billed for my electricity use?|a=
 +
 
 +
* Based on your consumption estimation, your electricity provider will calculate a '''monthly prepayment rate''' for you. Pay that rate now every month.
 
* After a year (usually), they measure your actual consumption.
 
* 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 '''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'''.
−
 
 
}}
 
}}
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{{FAQ/Item|q=How do I estimate my electricity consumption?|a=
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}}
  
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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>
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== Average & Ideal Consumption Rates ==
  
−
}}
+
To estimate your 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). <ref>{{Cite|date=2022-06-20|url=https://www.check24.de/strom/stromverbrauch/|quote=Stromverbrauch: Durchschnittsverbrauch Strom}}</ref>
  
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{| class="wikitable"
−
}}
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! Household size
 +
! Average, with electric water heating
 +
! Average, without electric water heating
 +
! Ideal (minimised) consumption
 +
|-
 +
| 1 person
 +
| 1500 kWh
 +
| 2100 kWh
 +
| 800-1300 kWh
 +
|-
 +
| 2 person
 +
| 2500 kWh
 +
| 3400 kWh
 +
| 1300-2100 kWh
 +
|-
 +
| 3 person
 +
| 3500 kWh
 +
| 4400 kWh
 +
| 1700-2600 kWh
 +
|-
 +
| 4 person
 +
| 4250 kWh
 +
| 5500 kWh
 +
| 1900-2900 kWh
 +
|}
  
 
== Find an Electricity Provider ==
 
== Find an Electricity Provider ==
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=== Compare Electricity Providers ===
 
=== Compare Electricity Providers ===
 +
 +
Instead of comparing offers yourself, you can use a comparison service. Enter your postal code & estimated consumption, and get a list of offers.
  
 
* {{AffLink|Check24 Electricity Comparison|check24-electricity-comparison}}
 
* {{AffLink|Check24 Electricity Comparison|check24-electricity-comparison}}
−
 
  
 
== More guides ==
 
== More guides ==

Revision as of 23:28, 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 the table below).
  • Know your postal code (Use Google maps to find it.)
  • 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)

How will I get billed for my electricity use?

  • Based on your consumption estimation, your electricity provider will 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.

Average & Ideal Consumption Rates

To estimate your 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]

Household size Average, with electric water heating Average, without electric water heating Ideal (minimised) consumption
1 person 1500 kWh 2100 kWh 800-1300 kWh
2 person 2500 kWh 3400 kWh 1300-2100 kWh
3 person 3500 kWh 4400 kWh 1700-2600 kWh
4 person 4250 kWh 5500 kWh 1900-2900 kWh

Find an Electricity Provider

List of Electricity Providers

Compare Electricity Providers

Instead of comparing offers yourself, you can use a comparison service. Enter your postal code & estimated consumption, and get a list of offers.

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.

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