Heating cost chaos in Vienna: Tenants often save over 100 euros a month!

Heating cost chaos in Vienna: Tenants often save over 100 euros a month!

Rising heating costs are increasingly affecting Viennese households. Stefan Böheim, 37, who has lived in a municipal residential complex for over ten years, notices this particularly in the 22nd district. During this heating period he is struggling with enormous heating costs of 160 euros per month - this consists of 90 euros in running costs and 70 euros in additional payments. After a passionate exchange with the Viennese housing associations and the energy supplier Wien Energie, he has the impression that his concerns about the high costs are not being taken seriously. Despite his efforts to understand the reasons for his expensive bills, much remained unclear. “My calculation is correct,” said Wien Energie, adding that the city’s actions remain incomprehensible. He talked to other tenants in various districts, some of whom have heating costs that are less than half as much. A tenant in Floridsdorf with double living space only pays 20 euros.

In the general discussion about high energy costs, it should be noted that Wien Energie holds a monopoly on district heating supply. This means that consumers only have limited choices. Switching to another provider is not possible in the opaque district heating market. Households are often even obliged to connect their apartments to local district heating networks owned by Wien Energie. Around a million households across Austria receive local or district heating, and Vienna has the highest price in comparison.

The invisible costs of heat

Although Wien Energie is investing a total of 90 million euros in discounts and relief, the pressure on households remains high. The current prices for district heating are expected to remain moderate in the 2025/26 heating season, but forecasts show that the annual costs for an average Viennese household will increase by around 15 percent. This means a monthly increase of around 12 euros on the bills. In addition, gas prices rose by almost 20 percent in the 2024/25 heating season and personnel and construction costs also played their part in the development of district heating prices.

At first glance, however, the pricing does not seem entirely disadvantageous. An analysis by the Austrian Energy Agency shows that the price level for district heating in Vienna is definitely in competition with other regions. The tariff comparison showed that the district heating price for low-energy houses in Vienna takes second place at 945 euros per year, while the standard price notice tariff for around 260,000 households takes third place at 974 euros per year. However, it remains crucial that Wien Energie takes a variety of measures to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

An outlook on renewable energies

The plan is clear: over the next five years, Wien Energie will invest over one billion euros to convert the district heating supply to renewable heat sources. The long-term goal is to be independent of natural gas by 2040. These investments are not only intended to make a sustainable contribution to climate policy, but also to secure around 10,000 jobs in the region.

Despite the challenges, Viennese households also have support options available. Wien Energie offers installment agreements and energy vouchers to help customers with payment difficulties. In these turbulent times of energy transition and price increases, it is important that there is a dialogue that takes tenants' needs into account and offers solutions. Perhaps Stefan Böheim will also soon experience relief from his heating costs.