The current gas prices result in many high energy bills for Amsterdammers. The price for district heating is also rising sharply. Leo is one of the residents of more than 113,000 homes that are heated by district heating. He lives in one of the complexes in the G-neighborhood in Amsterdam Southeast and will see his bill increase by hundreds of euros per month from next month.
District heating also expensive – NH News
The amount of more than 500 euros will increase next year to about 700 euros for Leo Hart, one of the residents of the Gouden Leeuw in Zuidoost. The complex contains more than four hundred homes, all of which are connected to district heating. As gas prices rise, district heating will also become more expensive.
District heating means that the heat for homes is obtained from the waste heat that is released when generating electricity or when waste is incinerated. It has been established by law that the price of this fuel may increase along with the price of gas. In Amsterdam, Vattenfal has a monopoly as a supplier when it comes to district heating. “It can’t be that this is made our problem,” says Leo.
“I would prefer that all homes here can have double glazing”
No thermostat
There is no thermostat at Leo’s house: “I measure how hot it is with a small thermometer, but it has to be done by feel.” Due to the rise in prices, more and more neighbors are no longer able to pay the costs: “My wife and I have a job, but there are also people who have to make do with their state pension. There are now nine homes on Funda. “
“Extra vests and open the dishwasher if it has been running.” These are two of the measures Leo takes to keep the heat indoors. “Now it’s about doubling, but in a few years’ time prices may have doubled four times, that shouldn’t be possible.”
According to Vattenfal, it is a good idea to decouple heat prices from gas prices. “But that does not mean that gas no longer has an influence on the price of district heating. Gas is used, for example, for the auxiliary heating plants in the heating system.” To keep a better grip on the situation, the supplier says that people should try to stay below the energy ceiling. That way you know what the fixed price of energy is up to 37 gigajoules. “And if people think they are in trouble, please contact us. Then we will look for a solution together.”
It is not yet time for Leo to move, but if things continue like this, he may see that as a reality in the future. “For now, I hope that a solution will be found and that the municipality will be able to help, for example, when it comes to double glazing for all homes in our complex.”
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