This can save consumers up to 40 percent, says Ben Woldring of price comparison site Gaslicht.com. In Vattenfall you pay 3.22 euros per cubic meter of gas from January 2023, in Budget Energie 1.92 euros.
The switch may also be beneficial for electricity, but the differences in tariffs are much smaller.
Great group of families
This makes a big difference, for about 40% of all families. Because this is the group according to the Ministry of Economy and Climate it is expected to exceed the consumption limit of the price cap. The ministry assumed in the calculation that all households save 10% of energy.
For four out of ten families, therefore, they have to pay the amount that exceeds the ceiling out of their own pockets. The limit is 1.45 euros per cubic meter of gas, with a maximum consumption of 1200 m3 of gas. For what you use more, you pay the difference.
For those who live in a large and/or poorly insulated house, it can therefore make a significant difference if you pay 3.22 per cubic meter or 1.92. In the latter case you pay 47 cents yourself, in Vattenfall 1.77.
When will you receive your annual accounts?
In addition to your consumption, there is another factor that can influence whether or not you stay below the maximum price. It has to do with when you get your annual return. How exactly we explain in this article.
You can use the calculator tool below to find out how much consumption will keep you below the maximum price.
The differences in tariffs have to do with how energy companies buy gas and electricity on the wholesale market. One company does this for a three month period, other companies do it every month.
Peak in August
The latter category of companies therefore benefits more quickly from the current price decline on the market, explains Woldring. In August, the gas price peaked on the main ICE index up to more than 340 euros. This has now dropped to 85 euros.
The reason for the drop in gas prices? Warm winter weather, says Martien Visser, professor of energy transition at Hanze University in Groningen. Also, gas supplies are well stocked. “That also takes the strain off the market.”
Additionally, LNG terminals are opening at a rapid pace in Germany, Visser adds. “This ensures a higher supply and also stabilizes the price.” He expects prices to fall further.
Shopping for millions of customers
Big energy companies like Vattenfall are less able to convey this to their customers than a smaller company like Budget Energie, Visser says. Vattenfall had to buy enough gas for the spring for millions of customers. “They bought dearly.”
Competitor Budget Energie can now buy for new customers at much lower prices. “This is very annoying for energy companies,” says Viser. “Those who had to buy in advance pay a high price and their customers can switch for free to another cheaper supplier with a variable contract.”
For the time being, there are hardly any providers who dare to offer new customers permanent contracts again. Only Greenchoice does it, and then only for six months at a price of 2.44 euros per cubic meter of gas.
Other providers still don’t dare to offer a permanent contract because a customer can easily switch. Consumers with permanent contracts have to pay a cancellation penalty, but this is 100 euros for those who buy gas and electricity.
Higher cancellation fee
Energy Minister Jetten would like to see firm energy contracts again, but then there needs to be a higher termination penalty to offset the financial disadvantage for energy companies if people terminate their contracts prematurely.
This would actually be organized starting January 1st, but it is not possible. The aim is now to organize it before April 1, according to ACM to the Financieele Dagblad.
