It has been known for some time that energy prices have risen rapidly, and may continue to rise for a while. What this means in practice for ordinary Dutch people is now becoming increasingly clear. Many fixed energy contracts come to an end and a variable rate is paid in return. A rate that in many cases cannot be compared with the amounts paid under the permanent contract.
People who suddenly have to pay half more for gas and electricity, people who see the energy bill double. Depending on the supplier and the type of contract, depending on how you live and how much you burn. The fact is that almost everyone will pay more for heat from the central heating system, hot water from the tap, cooking on gas, and for everything with a plug.
The amount that you pay per month, the installment amount, is in most cases significantly increased. This is because this amount is calculated on the basis of your consumption in previous years, in combination with the current price for gas and electricity. So if you had a high consumption last year because your home was not yet insulated, you now pay more per month than someone who burned very little last year. Even if you would hardly use any gas now, because you were shocked by the gas prices, your monthly amount will still be based on your consumption in the past.
The good news is that everything you overpay in your installment amount, which is in fact an advance, you will get back at the end of the year. Then we look at what you have actually used, and if that is less than what you paid for, you get the excess paid back. Please note, if you use more than what you paid for, you have to pay extra.
If your energy supplier goes bankrupt before the end of the year, you will be out of luck and you will not get the overpaid advance back. In 2021, seven energy suppliers went bankrupt, most by the end of the year. Thousands of people have become victims of this and have not received their overpaid advance back.
Assuming that your energy supplier does not go bankrupt, it does make sense to consume less energy. Your monthly amount will not immediately decrease, but getting a nice amount back at the end of the year is never wrong. But how do you do that?