Heating cost comparison for Germany 2020

A very useful tool for saving on heating costs – especially in light of the CO2 price that will be due from January 2021 – is the Heating Cost Index 2020. Owners and tenants can use the "Online Heating Cost Calculator" on the co2online website to check whether their heating energy consumption is reasonable or too high.

Over 147,000 building data sets from centrally heated residential buildings across Germany were analyzed for the 2020 Heating Cost Index. The calculations, based on the 2019 billing year, demonstrate once again that a building's energy efficiency is the key factor influencing heating energy consumption. For example, heating costs for a 70-square-meter apartment with gas central heating in a multi-family building ranged from €485 to €1,030, depending on the building's energy performance. Residents of newly constructed buildings or those living in energy-efficiently renovated homes saved over 50 percent on heating costs in 2019 and consequently consumed less climate-damaging CO2.

The energy source naturally plays a crucial role. Its climate-friendliness will have an even greater impact from 2021 onwards, due to the CO2 price, than it has so far. An analysis by the non-profit consulting firm co2online revealed that the costs of heating with oil, natural gas, district heating, and heat pumps have increased. Wood pellets, considered sustainable and climate-friendly, were included in the analysis for the first time. At an average of €590 in 2019, they also proved to be a cost-effective option, while district heating, at €890, was in the upper price range.

You can find the heating cost check at co2online.de or on the website heizspiegel.de of the Federal Ministry for the Environment. There you will also find tips for energy-saving behavior, which is also the topic of the climate talk series by the Federal Ministry for the Environment and co2online: Current climate protection questions from citizens are answered www.co2online.de/klimatalk

Incidentally, as part of its climate package, the German government subsidizes up to 45 percent of the costs for switching to heating with renewable energy sources. The replacement bonus can be applied for at the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control.