Germany’s largest homeowner will reduce apartment temperatures to 17 degrees during the night

Germany’s largest homeowner, Vonovia VNAn.DE, will reduce the heat of its tenants at night as Europe’s largest economy prepares for a possible gas crisis if Russia cuts supplies, Reuters and The Local report. .

Vonovia, which owns about 490,000 apartments in Germany that it heats through several energy suppliers, will set the temperature in homes at 17 degrees Celsius between 11pm and 6am, according to an announcement made by a company spokesman.

Tenants will be able to use the thermostats normally during the day and in the evening and the rationalization will not affect the hot water.

The program to reduce home heating will be implemented gradually in the coming months, and will be completed by early winter.

Vonovia says it hopes to save up to 8% on heating costs as a result of the measure.

How to calculate the price of heat for German tenants

German tenants pay a fixed monthly amount for heat based on an annual estimate.

At the end of each year landlords may demand additional money from tenants or be forced to give back some of the money, depending on actual consumption and costs.

The sharp rise in heat prices in Germany as a result of rising demand from industrial consumers following the COVID-19 pandemic and supply problems caused by the war in Ukraine could mean that tenants will have to pay huge bills next year.

Vonovia, which relies on natural gas for 55% of its thermal energy needs, said it was informing its customers that high prices would lead to additional payments in the near future.

The company’s CEO, Rolf Buch, said last month that he expects rising energy prices to cost tenants the equivalent of up to two months’ rent.

Germany is preparing for a gas crisis

Last month, Germany entered the second phase of the three planned in its energy emergency plan after Russia reduced natural gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in mid-June.

The Berlin government has said that households will have priority in the event of an energy crisis, but has called on the public and companies to reduce their energy consumption.

“In order to reduce gas consumption, we need to use less gas to produce electricity. Instead, coal-fired power plants will have to be used more, “the economy ministry said in a June 19 press release.

“It is a bitter decision, but it is essential to reduce gas consumption,” said Economy Minister Robert Habeck.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who held several portfolios during the governments of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, warned EU member states on Wednesday to prepare for a complete shutdown of Russian gas.