Guide · Energy & Household · 2026
Save on utility costs: tips for lower bills in 2026
With the right measures for heating, hot water and electricity, plus a regular tariff comparison, households in Germany can save several hundred euros per year – without any loss of comfort.
The key points at a glance
Targeted measures for heating, ventilation and water use can save several hundred euros each year. A regular tariff comparison for electricity and gas, together with a timely review of your Nebenkostenabrechnung (annual utility statement), helps you avoid overpaying. Small changes in behaviour and modest technical upgrades are just as effective as making use of the statutory deadlines.
Nebenkosten (ancillary/service costs) are all the running operating costs of a flat or house that go beyond the basic cold rent, covering items such as heating, hot water, electricity, water and waste collection. With the right tips, an average German household can save several hundred euros per year without giving up any comfort. The biggest levers are heating and hot water, closely followed by electricity and a targeted tariff comparison. If you also check your utility statement for legal accuracy, you protect yourself from excessive payments.
Heating and ventilating correctly: the biggest saving lever
Heating costs make up 40 to 60 percent of total ancillary costs. Saving on heating delivers the biggest financial effect of all measures – for comparatively little effort.
The simplest measure is lowering the room temperature. Each degree less reduces heating energy consumption by about 6 percent. Lowering the temperature from 22 to 20 degrees Celsius therefore saves around 12 percent of heating costs, without any technical investment. Bedrooms are perfectly fine at 16 to 18 degrees, living rooms at 20 to 21 degrees.
For ventilation, there is one clear rule: Stoßlüften (burst ventilation) 3 to 4 times a day for 10 minutes each is far cheaper than leaving windows permanently tilted open. With burst ventilation the air is exchanged quickly, without letting the walls and furniture cool down.
Programmable thermostats and bleeding the radiators
Programmable thermostatic valves automatically control the room temperature according to the time of day and usage profile. Models such as Homematic IP or tado° can be controlled by smartphone and cost between 30 and 80 euros per radiator. Bleeding the radiators regularly noticeably improves heating performance, because trapped air prevents the even circulation of the heating water.
Draughts at windows and doors are an underestimated source of heat loss. Self-adhesive sealing strips cost just a few euros and noticeably reduce heat loss at leaky spots. Insulating heating pipes in unheated rooms is also worthwhile.
- Adjust room temperatures: living rooms to 20 to 21 degrees, bedrooms to 16 to 18 degrees.
- Adopt burst ventilation: open windows fully 3 to 4 times a day for 10 minutes.
- Check thermostatic valves: replace older valves with programmable models.
- Bleed the radiators: bleed all radiators at the start of the heating season.
- Inspect the seals: check windows and doors for draughts and seal them.
- Insulate heating pipes: insulate exposed pipes in the cellar or garage.
Pro tip: Do not switch the heating off completely when you go away. A frost-protection temperature of 12 to 14 degrees prevents damage and is cheaper than reheating a flat that has cooled down completely.
Reducing hot water consumption
After heating, hot water is the second largest cost block. A shower uses about half as much water as a full bath. If you bathe daily and switch to a five-minute shower, you can cut hot water consumption by up to 50 percent – and this directly affects your utility statement, since hot water is usually billed according to consumption.
Other effective measures:
- Water-saving shower head: reduces the water flow from 12–15 to 6–8 litres per minute, costs 15 to 60 euros.
- Turn off the water while soaping up to save several litres per shower.
- Dishwasher instead of washing up by hand: modern appliances use 6 to 9 litres per cycle.
- Run the washing machine fully loaded – half-full loads use almost as much.
- Check the hot water temperature: 60 degrees is enough for household needs.
Pro tip: Do not lower the hot water temperature below 60 degrees Celsius. Below that, legionella can multiply in the pipe system – the health risk outweighs any cost saving.
Cutting electricity costs through consumption and switching provider
A two-person household uses around 2,500 to 3,000 kilowatt-hours per year. Standby devices cause about 10 percent of electricity consumption – roughly 50 to 80 euros a year for devices that only appear to be switched off. Switchable power strips cut the circuit completely.
- Identify standby devices and disconnect them using switchable power strips.
- Pay attention to energy labels: when buying new, choose appliances in class A or B.
- Use LED lighting: up to 80 percent less electricity than old incandescent bulbs.
- Run the washing machine at 30 or 40 degrees.
- Use the residual heat of the oven and usually skip preheating.
- Run a tariff comparison and switch if there is a cheaper offer.
| Feature | Grundversorger (default basic provider) | Competitive tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Price per kWh | Often 10 to 20 % more expensive | Cheaper due to market competition |
| Contract commitment | No minimum term | Often 12 months |
| Notice period | 2 weeks | Usually 6 weeks before the end of the contract |
| Switching provider | Not required | Possible free of charge and risk-free |
Switching electricity provider is free and risk-free. The new provider takes care of cancelling the contract with the old supplier. There is no gap in supply in Germany, because the Grundversorger (default basic provider) steps in if anything goes wrong.
Utility statement and statutory deadlines
The Nebenkostenabrechnung (annual utility statement) must reach the tenant within 12 months of the end of the accounting period. If it arrives too late, the landlord loses the right to demand any back-payment entirely. This is governed by § 556 Abs. 3 BGB and applies without exception. After receiving the statement, tenants have 12 months to raise objections.
Items that cannot be passed on to the tenant include, among others:
- Administrative costs (property management, bookkeeping, account management).
- Maintenance costs – repairs are borne by the landlord alone.
- Vacancy costs for empty flats.
- Insurance unrelated to the property, e.g. the landlord’s legal-protection insurance.
The CO2-Stufenmodell (CO2 cost-sharing model) has applied since 1 January 2023 and distributes the CO2 costs on a sliding scale between tenant and landlord. The poorer the energy efficiency of the building, the higher the landlord’s share, which can be up to 95 percent. Errors in the classification give tenants the right to reduce the statement.
Pro tip: Note down the exact date on which you receive the utility statement and keep a copy with the date of receipt. That way you can prove, in the event of a dispute, whether the 12-month deadline was met.
Regular tariff comparison for electricity and gas
Electricity and gas prices change several times a year. If you do not check your tariff regularly, you often pay significantly more than necessary. When comparing tariffs, three figures are decisive:
- Base price (Grundpreis): a fixed monthly fee, typically 5 to 15 euros.
- Unit price (Arbeitspreis): the price per kilowatt-hour consumed – the biggest cost factor when consumption is high.
- Notice period and term: watch out for automatic renewal clauses.
| Criterion | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Base price | As low as possible, aim for under 10 euros per month |
| Unit price | Use the current market price as a reference |
| Term | 12 months maximum, no automatic renewal without cancellation |
| Price guarantee | Prefer tariffs with a price guarantee for at least 12 months |
| Customer reviews | Prefer providers with good, transparent customer reviews |
Online tariff calculators such as the one from meinetarife24.de make it easy to compare numerous providers quickly. You enter your annual consumption and the calculator immediately shows which tariffs are cheaper than your current contract. Experts recommend running the gas comparison and electricity comparison at least once a year – ideally three months before your current contract expires.
Key takeaways
- Prioritise heating costs: Heating makes up 40 to 60 percent of ancillary costs – this is where the greatest saving potential lies.
- Reduce hot water: Showering instead of bathing and a water-saving shower head effectively halve hot water consumption.
- Eliminate standby consumption: Switchable power strips save up to 10 percent of electricity consumption.
- Check the statement legally: Late statements do not entitle the landlord to any back-payment.
- Compare tariffs annually: Switching electricity or gas provider is free and often saves several hundred euros a year.
Small steps, big impact
From our daily work at meinetarife24, we know that many people regard their utility costs as a fixed, unchangeable figure – a mistake that costs real money year after year. The biggest savings do not come from expensive renovations, but from consistent changes in behaviour and a one-off review of your contract documents. Anyone who switches their electricity tariff once often saves 150 to 300 euros a year; with programmable thermostats and adjusted ventilation habits you quickly reach 400 to 600 euros annually.
The utility statement in particular is rarely properly checked, even though errors are common. We recommend going through it every year with a checklist and documenting the date of receipt – this takes only about 30 minutes a year.
— meinetarife24 editorial team
Compare tariffs now and cut your utility costs for good
meinetarife24 compares electricity and gas tariffs from numerous providers in Germany and shows you in just a few minutes how much you can save by switching tariff. The platform is available in German, English and Turkish – especially handy for expats and newcomers. Switching is free, risk-free and takes less than five minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the biggest cost items in the ancillary costs?
Heating and hot water together make up 40 to 60 percent of ancillary costs and are therefore the most important saving levers. Electricity and water follow as further large items.
How often should I switch my electricity or gas tariff?
Experts recommend a tariff comparison at least once a year, ideally three months before your current contract expires. In Germany, switching is free and possible without any interruption of supply.
What happens if the utility statement arrives too late?
If the statement arrives after the statutory 12-month deadline under § 556 Abs. 3 BGB, the landlord loses the right to demand a back-payment entirely. In that case tenants do not have to make any back-payment.
Which costs may the landlord not pass on to the tenant?
Administrative costs, maintenance costs and vacancy costs cannot be passed on under the Betriebskostenverordnung (Operating Costs Ordinance). Only the legally defined cost types may appear in the utility statement.
How does the CO2 cost-sharing model work in the heating bill?
Since 1 January 2023, the CO2 costs have been split between tenant and landlord on a sliding scale. The poorer the energy efficiency of the building, the higher the landlord’s share, which can be up to 95 percent.