Rising Energy Prices

Important Information and Practical Tips

Rising energy prices are one of the most discussed topics right now, concerning companies as well as households. We decided to use this article to shed some light on the problem of energy prices, and give some recommendations on energy saving. 

Why is Energy This Expensive at the Moment? 

The main reason for high energy prices is high gas prices resulting from cut off gas supply from Russia. At the moment, gas makes for a significant part of energy production in Europe due to the shutting down of nuclear and coal power stations.

Energy Price Cap 

Apart from rising energy prices which we can feel when paying the utility advance payments or when our rent increases, naturally all the goods that use energy for their production have  also increased in price. The Czech government has reacted to this situation by putting a cap on the energy prices for households and businesses. For households, the maximum price per kilowatt hour is set at 6 CZK for the whole year 2023, and for gas it’s 3 CZK per kilowatt hour. 

How to Save Energy? 

We used the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs’ campaign “Let’s Tame Energy”  as inspiration for tips on saving energy. We recommend you check out their interactive website.

Here are the 10 basic recommendations:

  • Make sure the light is switched off in the room when you’re not there. And pay special attention to turning off the lights when you leave the apartment. 
  • Run the washing machine and the dishwasher when it’s completely full. 
  • Defrost the fridge regularly.
  • Keep the temperature in the fridge between 5 and 7 degrees. 
  • When cooking, use a burner the same size as your pot/pan.
  • Use a lid when cooking. This way the dish will be ready faster, and energy won’t be wasted.
  • Hang dry your clothes instead of using a dryer.
  • Take a shower instead of a bath. 
  • Don’t overheat the house and only turn on the heating when you’re at home. 
  • If you have this option, get a dishwasher which is more energy efficient than handwashing. 

Housing Allowance

If you’ve found yourself in financial distress due to increased energy prices, you can apply for the so-called housing allowance (Příspěvek na bydlení). Each case is different, but in general it can be said that a household can claim the housing allowance if their housing expenses are higher than 30% of net income (35 % for Prague).

If you’d like to get more detailed info on the housing allowance and to find out if you can claim it with your type of residence, please book an appointment with our social worker, who’d be happy to advise you on other housing-related social benefits. The consultation is free of charge. You can make an appointment at: +420 252 543 846.