2023-05-05 03:13:04
Household energy prices fell once more in March. The Energy Price Index (EPI) calculated by the Energy Agency fell by 3.3 percent in March compared to February, the Energy Agency said. Although household energy prices had an inflation-dampening effect, they are still 11.9 percent higher than 12 months ago. In February, the difference was still 30 percent. In a two-year comparison with March 2021, the PPI even increased by 57.1 percent.
There were clear monthly price declines for premium petrol with a 0.5 percent discount. Compared to March 2022, premium petrol cost 9.6 percent less. However, this is put into perspective: In a two-year comparison, consumers had to pay 31.3 percent more in March than in March 2021. Diesel and heating oil cost 4 and 5 percent less in March than in February. Year-on-year, prices have fallen by 9 and 19 percent respectively, but have not yet reached pre-crisis levels.
The Energy Agency recorded a 0.4 percent drop in gas prices. However, compared to March 2022, gas prices were still 65.5 percent higher. Household electricity prices fell by 7 percent in March and were 3.4 percent higher over the year.
However, a heterogeneous picture emerges for electricity and gas: while some suppliers are still raising prices, other providers are already lowering prices once more. “The relaxation on the wholesale markets can be used as a good time to think regarding how one’s own energy consumption and personal dependence on natural gas can be reduced in the long term,” said energy expert Lukas Zwieb.
There was no relaxation in district heating – here the prices remained stable. This means that district heating costs 97.1 percent more than in March 2022.
Users of pellet heating systems can breathe a sigh of relief: Because the prices for wood pellets fell by 16.1 percent in March. Although they were 36.9 percent more expensive in a year-on-year comparison, the energy agency announced that there were signs of a further fall in prices. Firewood, on the other hand, was only 2.1 percent cheaper – in a year-on-year comparison this means an increase of 64.5 percent.
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