Just in time for the start of the heating period, Stadtwerke Gießen is reducing its district heating prices by an average of around 22.5 per cent.
Energy prices have eased noticeably in recent weeks and months. As a result, Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) is significantly reducing its district heating prices. This is because the downward price trend is naturally reflected in the index values determined by the Federal Statistical Office, which form the basis of the district heating price formulae. For the largest customer group by far, this means that the labour price in the Öko Therm contract will fall by 6.28 cents to 18.20 cents per kilowatt hour. On average, customers who live in a flat with a connected load of four kilowatts and have a heating requirement of 7,400 kilowatt hours will therefore pay €460.93 less per year. In a typical detached house with a connected load of 15 kilowatts and an annual consumption of 22,500 kilowatt hours, this even results in a saving of 1,404.37 euros.
This massive price reduction of around 22.5 per cent on average across all contracts only reaches district heating customers in a reduced form. This is because the labour prices are still above the price cap set by the German government. "For our customers, the price reduction is only noticeable in the quantities that are not capped, but even that is still a relief," says Jens Schmidt, Commercial Director of SWG. Nevertheless, the price reduction sends out an important signal. "The lower our prices are, the less the state has to spend on the price brake," adds Jens Schmidt. Important to know in this context: Due to the minimal impact on the actual amounts to be paid, SWG does not adjust the discounts.
Other factors
In addition to the labour price, district heating customers also pay a performance price and a transfer price. The capital goods index, which is also calculated by the Federal Statistical Office, is included in the service price. Due to the still high inflation, its value increased during the period under review, which is reflected in an increase of € 0.44 per kilowatt per year in the performance price. The wages of the collective labour agreement for utilities are used to calculate the transfer price. These have also risen slightly. For a connected load of up to 100 kilowatts, this results in an increase of 2.03 euros per year.
SWG will calculate the meter reading as of 30 September. "Anyone who wants to can of course send us their meter reading," explains Jens Schmidt. SWG has set up a simple procedure for this: There is a QR code on the individual letters about the price reduction. Customers can use this code to access a pre-filled online form in which they only need to enter their meter reading. Questions about the new heating prices and the state heating price brake can be answered by SWG customer advisors in the Service Centre from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on 0800 23 02 100. Of course, the staff in the SWG customer centre on Marktplatz will also be happy to help. They are available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm. Last but not least, SWG has compiled a wealth of useful information on its website: www.stadtwerke-giessen.de