Energy: Help and Tips

Latest information for all electricity and natural gas customers of Erlanger Stadtwerke (ESTW): Electricity and natural gas prices will remain stable, likely through the end of 2026. For a family of three with an annual electricity consumption of 3,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), the total cost for ESTW green electricity with the ok-power seal will therefore remain around 1,087 euros in 2026 as well. This includes:

• approximately 22 percent for regulated grid fees
• about 35 percent for government-mandated levies, surcharges, and taxes, and
• about 43% for the actual energy component.

Prices will also remain stable for all natural gas customers of Erlanger Stadtwerke. Overall, developments in the energy markets must be monitored very closely. Due to the long-term procurement strategy, no short-term price increases are expected for ESTW’s electricity or natural gas customers—even in the current crisis situation (Iran). It is still too early to provide an outlook for the year 2027. Should anything change in this regard, Erlanger Stadtwerke will inform all affected customers in a timely manner.

Further information from ESTW

• General information is available on the Erlanger Stadtwerke website at www.estw.de
• The current price list is available at www.estw.de/preisblatt
• Valuable energy-saving tips can be found at www.estw.de/energiespartipps.

Contact information for Erlanger Stadtwerke’s energy advisors is available online at www.estw.de/ebz.

Tenants

It’s worth applying, especially for those whose income isn’t enough to cover housing costs. This includes, above all,

• retirees
• Residents of retirement or nursing homes
• Families
• Single parents.

The following groups may also be eligible for housing assistance:

• Students
• Apprentices
• People receiving short-time work benefits

Homeowners

Under certain conditions, you can apply for housing assistance as a subsidy for housing you live in yourself:

• Homeowners
• Owners of a condominium
• Homeowners with a part-time agricultural business

Both the city and Erlangen’s municipal utility company offer energy counseling. For low-income households, Erlangen’s municipal utility company also provides “energy-saving assistants.” During an on-site visit, they identify which appliances are “energy guzzlers” and suggest ways to save electricity and water.

Here: ESTW – Energy-Saving Advisors

Here: City of Erlangen – Energy Counseling

The Social Services Division of the Housing Department is here to help you if you are at risk of losing your rental home. A housing emergency can arise quickly, for example, if you fall behind on rent or utility bills. Please don’t wait too long—get in touch as soon as possible.

Here: Contact Information and More Details

If you have become homeless and there are no housing options available to you, the Housing Department can temporarily place you in emergency shelter.

Here: Contact and more information

If you are at risk of losing your apartment, the City of Erlangen cannot provide legal advice on tenancy law. In such cases, you must contact a lawyer or the consumer advice service if necessary. However, people with low incomes generally cannot afford legal advice from a lawyer. Instead, you can receive support through the legal aid program of the Erlangen Local Court.

Since January 1, 2023, the Social Services Office has offered “Energy Emergency Counseling.” This service provides support and advice to residents when

• they are unable to pay their energy bills
• they are unable to pay energy back payments from their annual statements, or
• there are significant electricity debts and a power disconnection is imminent.

The Energy Emergency Counseling service can be reached by email at: energienotfallberatung@stadt.erlangen.de.

Erlangen’s municipal utility company also offers assistance before gas or electricity service is cut off. It is important that those affected contact the utility in a timely manner—for example, if they have received a payment reminder. In such cases, a payment plan can be arranged or requested. The utility company’s accounts receivable department can be reached by phone at 09131/823 4111 or by email at: forderungen@estw.de.

The Building Energy Act marks the start of the transition to heating with renewable energy. It ushers in a comprehensive modernization of Germany’s heating infrastructure: With more district heating and more efficient, economical, and climate-friendly heating technology, Germany’s heating policy is finally on a sustainable path after years of stagnation. Consumers, the housing sector, the heating industry, and tradespeople now have clear guidelines for their investment decisions thanks to the new regulations. This will allow renewable energy to become the standard in the building sector and, step by step, replace climate-damaging heating systems based on natural gas or petroleum. With this law, progress toward climate protection and energy security will continue reliably year after year.

Our Office for Environmental Protection and Energy Issues has compiled all the important information on the Building Energy Act and heating system replacement for you here.

Developing an energy use plan is the central tool of municipal heat planning. Our main goal is to develop and implement a greenhouse gas-neutral heat supply at the local level. This not only ensures an affordable, sustainable energy supply but also contributes to the city’s climate protection goals. At the same time, our planning takes into account important factors such as cost-effectiveness, security of supply, and environmental protection.

Heat planning is intended to inform residents, businesses, and institutions about the existing and future options for heat supply available in their neighborhood. The municipal heat plan is designed to help them make informed decisions regarding the type of heating system they choose.

Here: Information on the City of Erlangen’s municipal heating plan