Skyrocketing energy prices
In this way, consumers could be relieved when heating and refueling
Heating will become even more expensive
© zvonko1959 / Getty Images
The war causes energy prices to rise to new dimensions. Ursula von der Leyen advises saving energy. Consumer advocates prefer to demand concrete measures from politicians that can be used to help households in a targeted manner.
Even before the war broke out, energy prices had risen dramatically. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, they have been shooting completely freely. Gas and oil are becoming massively more expensive, and the consequences are felt by consumers, especially when it comes to heating and refueling.
Russian oil and gas still flow to Europe. If imports are stopped after all, or if the Kremlin turns off the tap, the situation will only really escalate. Because Germany in particular is dependent: a third of the oil imports and half of the gas imports come from Putin’s empire. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already publicly called on consumers to save energy. Simply turning the heating down a degree can hardly be the solution to the problems.
In order to become less dependent on Russian energy, the federal government has just promised 200 billion euros for climate protection – but until 2026. In the short term, this will not help against the high prices. After all, the government already decided on a few measures in February that are intended to relieve citizens of energy prices: a higher commuter allowance, a heating subsidy for housing benefit recipients and the abolition of the EEG levy on electricity bills.
However, consumer advocates believe that given the current dynamic this is far from enough. Because the full force of the latest developments has not yet reached households, warns Thomas Engelke, team leader for energy and construction at the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv). “The horrendous energy prices that we are now seeing in wholesale will reach consumers with a little delay,” says Engelke in an interview with the star. Means: “Consumer prices will rise again significantly in the coming months. The worst is yet to come.” Some immediate immediate measures could help:
Higher heating allowance
The federal government wants to relieve two million citizens with a one-off payment. Bafög recipients receive 115 euros, housing benefit recipients 135 euros, with a two-person household it is 175 euros and for each additional person plus 35 euros. According to experts, however, this is not enough to compensate for the increased heating costs. As early as January, the vzbv had calculated that at least 500 euros per household were needed in addition to the housing benefit. A study by the DIW put the additional costs for heating for low earners at the beginning of February in a similar range – at 52 euros per month.
Since then, energy prices have continued to rise. “The heating subsidy planned by the federal government is not enough,” says consumer advocate Engelke. “The heating subsidy for low earners must be raised to well over 500 euros. This group of people simply has no money to save elsewhere.”
Depending on how much the price situation escalates, it may be necessary to expand the group of recipients, says Engelke. The federal government must create an emergency financial reserve for this. Since inflation also affects other existential areas such as food, the Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband also advocates increasing housing benefits and basic security.
Better heaters and more energy efficiency
Lower consumption also helps against rising costs. Heating with renewable energies in combination with greater energy efficiency can sustainably reduce gas and oil requirements. “One thing is clear: we have to move away from oil and gas for heating and we have to do it as quickly as possible. The government must therefore push ahead with the installation of electricity-based heat pumps at high pressure,” says energy expert Engelke.
So that the heat pumps do not heat out the window, good thermal insulation is also necessary. “Measures for more energy efficiency should therefore be financially supported even more.” To decide what makes sense, consumers should get help from an energy consultant. To make matters worse, you currently have to wait a long time for craftsmen.
Electricity price and climate money
In addition to the heating subsidy, there are calls for measures that benefit everyone. The elimination of the EEG levy on electricity bills from July could only be the first step, says consumer advocate Engelke. He also calls for an abolition of the electricity tax. In addition, exceptions for companies in the payment of network charges should be abolished, as these have to be cross-subsidised by private households.
The introduction of climate money, which the federal government announced in the coalition agreement, would also provide relief. A “social compensation mechanism” for the burden of the CO2 tax is planned. But what exactly that should look like and when it will come is an open question. vzbv expert Engelke says: “The income from CO2 pricing must flow back to private households in full. The federal government must therefore get the promised climate money off the ground as soon as possible.”
Mobility allowance, speed limit, car-free Sundays
The government supposedly cleared up the issue of fuel prices in February by increasing the commuter allowance from a distance of 21 kilometers. But that was before the price of oil drove a liter of petrol at the gas station to more than two euros. Many experts consider the commuter allowance to be the wrong instrument anyway, since low earners hardly benefit from it, if at all. The vzbv is therefore in favor of converting the commuter allowance into an “income-independent mobility allowance”. vzbv traffic expert Marion Jungbluth also advocated car-free Sundays. The ADAC, on the other hand, advocates a temporary reduction in VAT on fuel.
Greenpeace also presented a list of suggestions on Wednesday to reduce fuel consumption: in addition to car-free Sundays, the environmentalists are calling for a temporary speed limit to be introduced, for example 100 km/h on the motorway and 80 km/h on country roads . According to Greenpeace, maintaining the home office and limiting leisure trips could also help to significantly reduce oil consumption.