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Soaring German Heating Costs Despite Reduced Energy Use
Heating costs in Germany surged over 31% in 2023, despite a decrease in energy consumption due to higher prices and energy saving measures. Regional differences in consumption were also observed.
German
Germany
Germany Labour MarketEnergy SecurityEnergyConsumptionPricesCosts
German Institute For Economic Research (Diw)Ista (Essen)Deutsche Presse-Agentur
- Did the decrease in energy consumption offset the increase in prices?
- Despite the decrease in energy consumption, the savings could not compensate for the price increases. Saarland reported the highest energy consumption, while Mecklenburg-Vorpommern reported the lowest.
- By what percentage did heating costs in multi-family homes increase in Germany during 2023?
- Heating costs in multi-family homes rose by over 31% in 2023. This increase was based on heating cost statements for around 170,000 properties, representing more than 1.5 million apartments heated by gas, oil, or district heating.
- What was the average cost of gas per kilowatt-hour for German households, considering the gas price cap?
- The average household in Germany paid 11.81 cents per kilowatt-hour for gas, a near 33% increase mirroring the first year of the Ukraine war. This is according to a new study from the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW).
- What were the main factors contributing to the decrease in energy consumption in German households in 2023?
- Energy consumption decreased by 3.8% in 2023 compared to the previous year, and 8.9% compared to 2021. Higher prices, energy-saving measures, and increased efficiency are cited as the main reasons for this decrease.
- Were there any significant regional differences in energy consumption across Germany? If so, what were they?
- There were significant regional differences in energy consumption, with eastern Germany having a much lower heating demand than western Germany. This is attributed to a higher rate of building renovations in the eastern states.