A pricing platform for district heating providers is intended to improve transparency for consumers when it comes to heating costs. The Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), the Association of Municipal Companies (VKU) and the District Heating Working Group (AGFW) want to launch the joint platform in April, BDEW boss Kerstin Andreae announced in an interview with the news portal Table Media. “Around 150 district heating companies will take part. This means we will cover almost the entire market.”
With the new offer, the associations are responding to criticism of district heating prices, where there are large differences that are difficult for customers to understand. “We know that there is a problem with the transparency of prices,” said Andreae. “Comparability is difficult. The industry will now address this.”
According to her own words, the BDEW boss hopes that the new offer will also lead to lower costs for consumers. Unlike electricity or gas, they cannot change providers for district heating. She encouraged consumers to fight back against high prices. “Anyone who believes they are paying too much can also object,” said the BDEW boss. Customers would be protected by antitrust law.
