Techem has an unpleasant task: the energy service provider, who reads heating systems and water meters, presents the Germans with the bill during the crisis. Company boss Hartmann calls for more honesty from politicians. The question is: "Who pays the bill for climate neutrality?"
It is not an easy task in times of massively rising energy prices: the energy service provider Techem from Eschborn in Hesse reads the heat and water meters and then sends the Germans the bill. "We are certainly in an extreme situation this year," says Techem boss Matthias Hartmann in the podcast "The hour zero". "They must worry the economy, but also society as a whole." There will be people who "are surprised by very, very high additional payments". If gas bills tripled, this could also affect people who can hardly pay the sum.
As a company, Techem not only reads the meters, but also wants to support customers with tips and digital tools to save energy. For the coming winter, Hartmann warns against tilting the window when the heating is on and advises airing it out. In addition, a lot can be achieved if users slightly turn down the heating. "One degree less heating saves around six to seven percent of energy on average," said Hartmann. "And anything in the 19 to 20 degree range is certainly an acceptable room temperature."
With a view to society, Hartmann calls for a "more honest debate" about the consequences of the energy transition and the associated expenditure. "This energy transition is not free," he said. And the question will be: who will ultimately foot the bill for climate neutrality?" The real estate industry has also been satisfied with the status quo for too long and has done too little. "This sector has been missing its climate targets for years. Something has to happen now," said Hartmann.
The Techem boss is counting on the rising costs also raising public awareness of the energy problem: "People often react when a crisis affects their own wallets."
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