Electricity and gas prices: This saves you up to 1,000 euros a year!

Electricity and gas prices: This saves you up to 1,000 euros a year!

Many Austrians currently pay too much for electricity and gas, often without being aware of it. A new study by E-Control shows that more than half of the respondents (52% with electricity and 54% in gas) have never changed their provider. This represents considerable savings potential, because a change can save up to 1,000 euros annually. In 2024 there were more selection and cheaper tariffs in the energy markets, which could affect the change rate. Wolfgang Urbantschitsch, CEO of E-Control, explains that the competition has improved, but has not yet reached the level of the energy crisis that started in the context of the Ukraine crisis.

A current survey shows that over 20% of the participants have already changed their electricity or gas suppliers several times. Nevertheless, it often takes a while for consumers to become aware of the prices they pay. In 2024, the electricity price stabilized to approximately 10 cents per kWh, while gas cost between 4 and 5 cents per kWh. Unfortunately, many long -term customers do not benefit from these price reductions, since they are often bound to long -term contracts that do not allow them to save flexible savings.

The change of provider as a possibility of reducing costs

In 2023, Austria recorded a record for the change of providers: Around six million households decided to change their electricity provider, which corresponds to an increase of 50% compared to the previous year. 1.8 million households also changed their provider in the gas sector. This market dynamics are due to the increased prices, which forced consumers into expensive basic care and also led to adapting their existing tariffs. Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency, encourages consumers to use their interchangeable opportunities to benefit from cheaper tariffs.

For many households, the change of electricity provider or adjusting the tariff with the existing provider is a sensible way to save money. In 2024, the average prices for electricity and gas were 41.59 and 12.5 cents per kilowatt hour and thus had significant declines of 8% or over 15% compared to the previous year. Despite the stabilization of the energy markets, the prices are still higher than at times before the Russian attack war in Ukraine.

e-control supports consumers in choosing the tariff

E-Control has introduced a new price portal to help consumers check and compare their tariff costs. By using spot products, consumers who are more flexible can achieve savings of up to 515 euros in recent years. However, it is important that consumers remain active and regularly check their tariffs to benefit from the best offers. The slow price reduction for existing customers shows that the power power of the suppliers is still a hurdle for many. E-Control regularly informs about the current price and cost developments so that consumers can better decide when and how to change.