With the price ceiling, you do not pay more for your energy than the ceiling rate set by the government.
The price ceiling applies up to a maximum consumption; the energy usage ceiling.
With the price ceiling you will pay in 2023:
- €1.45 per m³ for the first 1,200 m³ of gas
- €0.40 per kWh for the first 2,900 kWh of electricity
- €47.38 per GJ for the first 37 GJ of heat
The ceiling rates include energy tax and VAT. Do you consume more than the usage ceiling? Then you pay the rate of your energy contract. If the rate is lower than the ceiling, you will of course pay a lower rate.
But what does the price ceiling entail and how is it distributed over the year?
Okay, so just to be clear:
The price ceiling will come into effect on January 1. If you consume less than 2,900 kWh of electricity, 1,200 m³ of gas or 37 GJ of heat in 2023, you will not pay more than the ceiling rate (see rates above). We call this consumption limit the price ceiling. For everything you use above this ceiling, you pay the rate of your energy contract. If the rate is lower than the ceiling, you will of course pay a lower rate.
But how is the price ceiling divided over the year and why?
The price ceiling applies for the whole of 2023. But you will probably receive your annual statement sometime during the year. In order to prepare the annual statement, the consumption ceiling is divided over the months of the year.
Each month has its own consumption ceiling. This is not the same for every month. You use more energy in the winter months than in the summer months. The consumption ceiling for the winter months is therefore higher.
Tip: Check your supplier's website or app to see exactly how
it is divided and keep this in mind because you can
carry over what you have saved to the following months :-).
Are you staying below the consumption ceiling for that month? Then you automatically carry over what remains to the next month. This also applies to the credit you had left in previous months. So you can be extra economical, so that you can use a little more afterwards. And it is also possible the other way around. Suppose you exceed the consumption ceiling in January, you can make up for that by being extra economical in the following months.
When and how is the balance sheet drawn up?
The balance is drawn up by your supplier on your annual statement. The timing of your annual statement differs for everyone.
During the annual statement, your supplier checks how much energy you have used. If you have remained below the consumption ceiling, you will not pay more than the ceiling rate. You pay the rate stated in your contract for the energy you use above the consumption ceiling.
Please note: You cannot carry over any credit you still had to the period after the annual statement. Then a new period begins, lasting until December 31, 2023: the end date of the price ceiling. This also applies if you switch to another supplier.
All in all, good news, but it is important to keep a close eye on your consumption to avoid unpleasant surprises with the annual bill.
Team MaandlastenManager