Expensive gas bills, fear of electricity and heating being switched off in winter - the issue of energy is a concern for many private households. The consumer centers in Thuringia also notice this.
Erfurt (dpa/th) - In view of the energy crisis, the Thuringian consumer centers are experiencing an onslaught of inquiries, especially in the area of energy law. "Before the crisis, legal advice on energy and water accounted for around five percent of all consumer legal advice," said Mara Mertin, spokeswoman for the Thuringia consumer center, on request. "Today they comprise more than a third." All consumer legal advisors are now involved in the topic of energy, and in many places personal advice is at its limit.
Uncertainty prevails in energy law advice, especially in connection with electricity and gas contracts. Again and again there are complaints that basic suppliers refuse to accept new customers from their respective supply areas. Customers would also be partially classified in the expensive replacement supply instead of the basic supply. Both are not permitted by law. Last but not least, the difficult-to-understand political announcements, such as the gas surcharge, caused uncertainty, according to Mertin.
In addition to legal advice on this subject, the consumer advice centers also offer advice on ways to save electricity and gas, on heating, on energy-efficient renovation of houses and other aspects. Here, too, demand is constantly increasing, and in some cases there are longer waiting times for on-site appointments with customers. In Thuringia, the consumer center maintains 12 advice centers for energy and energy law advice as well as 14 energy advice bases at cooperation partners. A special website has been set up on the internet for questions about the energy crisis.
