- Ministry wants more cost transparency for district heating customers
The Federal Ministry of Economics aims to provide more cost transparency for remote heating customers. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen consumer protection against excessively high remote heating prices, as the ministry announced in response to an inquiry. By amending the Remote Heating Regulation, significant competition- and consumer-friendly improvements are to be achieved for more transparency and flexibility in supply conditions. Initially, the news magazine "Politico" (Wednesday) reported on these plans.
Specifically, it is planned to expand the publication obligations of remote heating supply companies. In the future, a sample bill should be published on the internet, from which the application of any price change clause can be clearly understood, as outlined in the draft bill for amending the regulation.
From the perspective of consumer advocates, it is currently difficult for consumers to understand how remote heating prices are formed. The prices for remote heating in Germany differ significantly regionally.
The draft from the ministry contains some progress for private consumers, said Thomas Engelke, head of the Energy and Construction team at the Federal Association of Consumer Centres. However, one central point is completely missing, namely a nationwide price supervision. The remote heating market represents the strongest monopoly in the energy sector. Nevertheless, there is no central price supervision by a federal authority. Consumers must be effectively protected from "black sheep".
Remote heating is heat that is not generated in the residential building, but comes from a power or heating plant in the vicinity. Usually, water is heated there, which is then piped into the houses through insulated pipes.
The Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs is responsible for proposing changes to the Remote Heating Regulation to increase transparency and consumer protection in remote heating prices. According to the draft bill, remote heating supply companies will be required to publish a sample bill online, making it easier for consumers to understand price changes.
