As energy prices continue to rise, households are facing significant increases in their energy bill schedules. However, there is some relief for those who have reduced their electricity or gas consumption and have paid their deposits regularly in the past. They can reduce their monthly payments by up to half, but it should be noted that a significant reduction in prepayments can lead to an underpayment.

The range of possibilities to reduce the advance payments is individual and depends on the household’s payment history and energy consumption. According to Eduarda Hekšová, Director of the consumer organization dTest, if households have made energy-saving changes such as investing in insulation, replacing windows, or purchasing energy-efficient appliances, they may be able to convince their energy supplier to adjust their advance payments.

However, if there are no such reasons for reducing energy consumption, Hekšová recommends not changing the advance payments set by the supplier to avoid high arrears.

Self-declaration can also be a useful tool for households looking to reduce their deposits. By providing their energy supplier with an accurate estimate of their consumption, they may be able to lower their deposits. According to the Energy Regulatory Office, customers can send a self-declaration to their territorial distributor up to ten times a year, and once on the last day of the year.

It is also important for households to keep track of when energy suppliers increase prices and to make self-deductions on that date. By allocating energy consumption in this way, it is possible to save money and get a better overview of consumption.

Overall, while rising energy prices can be a significant challenge for households, there are options available to help reduce the financial burden. By working closely with their energy supplier and staying informed about their energy usage and billing schedule, households can take steps to better manage their energy costs.

Article by Prague Forum