Low-income households are hit particularly hard by the high energy prices: Because money is already tight, there are often very old refrigerators or washing machines that use far more electricity than modern appliances. Because many recipients of citizen income or social assistance find it difficult to finance the replacement of old large electrical appliances with more economical new “white goods”, the city’s social department will start an exchange program on Tuesday after Easter: After an energy consultation, households can exchange up to two old “electricity guzzlers” free of charge have energy-efficient appliances replaced.
Actually, the program should have started in 2020, but the implementation has been delayed due to the corona pandemic. At that time, the social department assumed that up to 1,000 households could receive new devices with an annual budget of 600,000 euros.
Due to the sharp increase in energy prices, which is causing difficulties for households with low incomes, replacing a refrigerator, for example, with advice is now even more important: According to the experience of the experts from the Caritas electricity savings check, this saves almost 300 euros a year .
“Cost savings are now particularly important for low-income households,” explains social affairs officer Dorothee Schiwy. The “flat rates for household electricity and for the purchase of new devices contained in the standard rates” are “still far too low. The adjustment of these flat rates has long been one of our demands on the federal legislature, which has not reacted to this to date.” Thomas Keimerl, who coordinates the energy advice of Caritas Munich, is pleased that many households can now save even more electricity without great effort and thus make an important contribution to climate protection.
Only functioning devices are exchanged, the models are fixed
Only functioning older large appliances in households that receive citizen income or social assistance can be exchanged, especially refrigerators, fridge-freezer combinations and washing machines. Up to two devices can be replaced, the models are fixed. As part of a free energy consultation, a decision will be made as to whether it makes sense to replace the device. Home visits are offered by the Caritas Munich electricity savings check (telephone 678202-70, e-mail: [email protected]) and the energy advice service from the Bavarian consumer advice center (telephone 0800-8098024-00, e-mail: energie@vzbayern. en) on.
The Caritas White Goods Coordination Office (phone 678202-70 and e-mail [email protected]) takes care of the processing and delivery of the new devices, and also answers all questions about the energy-saving measure. Information flyers will be available in the social community centers from Tuesday.