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Germany heating costs forecast: Oil and pellet prices to rise in 2026
According to the 2026 heating cost forecast (Heizspiegel) produced by co2online, the German Tenants' Association, and the Bauherren-Schutzbund, many households face rising energy expenses.
Heating oil and wood pellets are expected to see significant price increases. For a 70-square-meter apartment, heating oil costs could rise by 24 percent, while wood pellets are projected to increase by 17 percent due to raw material shortages. In larger single-family homes, oil costs could rise by up to 28 percent.
In contrast, natural gas costs may see a slight decrease of approximately 4 percent, driven by lower procurement costs and the removal of the gas storage levy. However, experts warn that rising wholesale prices could reverse this trend by late 2026 or 2027. Other energy sources, such as heat pumps and district heating, are expected to see more moderate increases of 3 percent and 1 percent, respectively.
Experts suggest that fossil fuel heating will become increasingly expensive, with costs potentially doubling or tripling over the next 20 years. To mitigate these costs, co2online notes that 90 percent of households still have potential for savings through behavioral changes, such as improved ventilation and temperature management.
Entities
Bauherren-Schutzbund · Deutscher Mieterbund · Germany · co2online
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Fossil fuel heating costs are predicted to double or even triple over the next 20 years. www1.wdr.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 90 percent of households still have the potential to save on heating costs through behavioral changes. derchotv.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Natural gas costs may see a slight decrease of approximately 4 percent due to lower procurement costs and the removal of the gas storage levy. derchotv.de · www.halternerzeitung.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Heating oil costs for a 70-square-meter apartment are projected to rise by 24 percent. derchotv.de · www.halternerzeitung.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Heating costs are expected to become a permanent burden for many households in Germany. derchotv.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Heating oil and wood pellets are expected to become significantly more expensive. derchotv.de · www.halternerzeitung.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Wood pellet costs are expected to increase by 17 percent. derchotv.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Heat pump costs are projected to rise by 3 percent. derchotv.de