The gas price is falling slightly, when will we see that reflected on our energy bill? | Money

Now that the gas price is falling slightly, will that also be reflected in our energy bill?
“It depends a bit on your supplier when you see falling gas prices on your bill,” says Joris Kerkhof of Independer. For example, Eneco customers will pay slightly less in December, while Essent customers will pay slightly more. “Many consumers now have variable contracts and the rates for these change every six months, quarterly or monthly. It therefore differs per supplier how quickly they pass on the decrease to the consumer. If you pay 3.40 euros per cubic meter of gas, your supplier probably bought in August, and not last month. The decline has mainly started due to the mild weather and because there is enough stock at the moment, we have to hope that it stays that way.”

Kerkhof: ,,We were used to paying relatively low amounts for our energy, but in October last year the price rose enormously. This was because most corona measures expired and the demand for energy increased enormously as a result. At the beginning of the year, with the war in Ukraine, the price went up even further.”

Kerkhof: “You see not only your consumption on your energy bill, but also what you pay for that consumption. These are fixed costs – such as supply costs and network management costs – but also variable costs. That is what you pay per cubic meter of gas and kWh of electricity. It is very important to realize and understand those values. If you know that well, you can try to reduce your consumption or see if there is perhaps another supplier that charges a cheaper rate. Although they are not very easy to find at the moment.”

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Kerkhof: “With dynamic rates you often pay an hourly or daily rate for electricity or gas. The advantage is that with a low rate you immediately pay less, with a high rate you immediately pay more. So it’s a bit of speculation. When you conclude such a contract, you have to pay close attention to exactly what you pay and when. For example, they call for the washing machine to be switched on, but I am not at home during the day, so that would be a step too far for me.” Figures last month showed that tens of thousands of Dutch people had already switched to such an energy contract to bring down the sky-high energy bill.

Joyce Donat of the Consumers’ Association: ,,Yes, the monthly rates are in principle correct, because the regulator Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) monitors the reasonableness of the rates. A supplier cannot simply ask for more than is reasonable, you have to rely on that.”

“No, you cannot drastically change your advance amount,” says Donat. “With a few energy suppliers this is free – although you have to be careful not to lower it too much – but most have a limit. Then you can adjust it yourself by 10 or 20 percent. If you think: I would like to reduce the advance amount by half, then you should contact the energy supplier. And then you have to deal with the problem that they are not always easily accessible. Then put it in writing and keep trying.”

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Kerkhof: ,,Minister Rob Jetten (energy) wants consumers to be able to opt for permanent contracts again. Suppliers also want that, but they currently have a low switching fine. If a consumer concludes a permanent contract, the supplier purchases energy for a year on the basis of the rates that apply at that time. If you leave after six months, they will stay with you. The fine is a maximum of 100 euros on an annual contract. The suppliers have now asked whether that fine can be flexible, that you pay a fine for what your contract is still worth. If that comes through, I expect annual contracts to come back from January.

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