Partly significant increase
Many households are using more electricity and gas
March 26, 2024, 7:50 a.m
The energy crisis is over and the prices for electricity and gas have fallen significantly again. This also seems to have resonated with consumers because, according to a comparison portal, they often state significantly higher consumption figures in contracts.
According to an analysis by the comparison portal Check24, households in Germany increased their electricity and gas consumption significantly in 2023. Accordingly, people used 23.2 percent more gas and around 14 percent more electricity last year than in 2022.
On average, a household’s gas consumption has increased to around 19,000 kilowatt hours per year (2022: 15,400 kWh) and electricity consumption to around 3,150 kilowatt hours per year (2022: 2,800 kWh). According to the information, consumption returned to normal after falling significantly in 2022 in response to the high prices as a result of the energy circles following the Russian attack on Ukraine.
According to the information, consumers paid around eight percent less for electricity in 2023 than in 2022. 3,500 kilowatt hours of electricity cost an average of 1,383 euros in Germany (2022: 1,509 euros). Gas prices fell by around 28 percent.
The data is not representative. They are based on an evaluation of all electricity and gas contracts concluded via Check24 in 2023 and the consumption values specified by customers. Check24 did not give the exact number of contracts evaluated, but it was in the six-figure range for both electricity and gas, said a spokeswoman for the comparison portal.
Saxony consumes the most gas
According to the data, gas and electricity consumption has increased in all federal states. Households in Saxony consumed the most gas in 2023 with an average of 22,358 kilowatt hours, according to Check24. Hessian households used an average of 20,969 kilowatt hours, in Saarland it was 20,599 kilowatt hours. Berlin households used the least gas at 14,339 kilowatt hours.
According to the analysis, Lower Saxony had the highest electricity consumption per household with an average of 3,352 kilowatt hours. Households in Rhineland-Palatinate (3319 kWh) and Saarland (3296 kWh) also have high electricity consumption. According to the comparison portal, consumption was lowest in Berlin (2544 kWh) and Hamburg (2662 kWh).