How to reduce your utility bills? Subsidies and advice on energy efficiency

Last updated: (Létrehozva: )

The news item is updated regularly, latest update: Saturday, October 31, 2022.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE RISE OF UTILITY COSTS

As of August 1, 2022 new rules apply to residents’ energy consumption (gas, electricity).

  • As regards electricity, the previous tariffs remain valid up to 2523 kWh/year (threshold value), but you will have to pay twice as much above the threshold unless you are eligible for some other discount (see below). This means a consumption limit of 210 kWh per month.
  • As regards gas, the previous tariffs remain valid up to 1729 m3/year, that is 59,132 MJ/year (threshold value), but you will have to pay seven times as much above the threshold unless you are eligible for some other discount (see below). It means a consumption limit of 144 m3 per month.
  • The previous conditions remain valid for B GEO tariffs (operating heat pumps) and H tariffs (operating heat pumps, circulation pumps or compressors), so you will not have to pay more than earlier if you use one of those.
  • No new regulations have been published for distance heating (távhő) so far, which means that the previous tariffs remain valid.
  • Threshold values will be identified by measuring points, i.e. points of use (a point of use is practically a contract).
  • The new tariffs will be reviewed quarterly.

You can check your electricity and gas consumption on your monthly bills, by monitoring the meter or from the service provider.

Using the ‘bills calculator’ of Pénzcentrum, you can calculate your utility bills:  https://www.penzcentrum.hu/iframe/rezsi

The website of MVM Next contains detailed information on tariff changes: https://www.mvmnext.hu/lakossagirezsi

This news item is a summary of all useful information for the residents of Józsefváros on the kinds of subsidies they can apply for if the payment of utility bills is a problem as well as recommendations on how to save energy to reduce costs.

GOVERNMENT DISCOUNTS

  • Gas bill discount for large families

Who can apply?

Households are eligible for the discount if there are at least three children in the household and they have a service agreement with MVM Zrt.

The discount can only be used for one point of use.

In the case of a consumption community (i.e. if there is one gas mater in a building but there are several separate flats in it), more than one eligible household can get the discount at one point of use.

How much is the discount?

The gas discount for large families means the discount tariff is used if the gas consumed is above the threshold value.

  • For three children, the limit is 61560 MJ annually for each point of use,
  • for four and more children, another 10250 MJ for each child.

Where and how to apply?

The applications must be submitted to the relevant government office by the applicant’s residence, which is the Department of Family Support of the Metropolitan Government Office in Budapest. https://www.kormanyhivatal.hu/hu/budapest/szervezeti-egyseg/csaladtamogatasi-foosztaly

Applications must be submitted on the relevant form. Application forms and completion guidelines can be downloaded from: https://www.allamkincstar.gov.hu/hu/lakossagi-ugyfelek/nagycsalados_foldgaz_arkedvezmeny_

Applications must be submitted by the persons who concluded the relevant service agreement.

Further information:

 

  • Protected consumers

To avoid indebtedness, people in need receive special protection with regards to energy services, which means that so-called protected consumers receive special protection regarding electricity and gas provision.

The law specifies two categories of people who are eligible for the protected consumer status: 1) consumers with social needs, and 2) persons living with disabilities.

  1. Persons shall be deemed consumers with social needs if one of the following statements is true for them or a person in their household:

– receives non-contributory old-age allowance,

– is eligible for active age benefit,

– receives municipality allowance to cover housing-related regular expenses (in Józsefváros, it means extraordinary municipality allowance for housing expenses, allowance for heating and utility bills and allowance for arrears management, see details: https://jozsefvaros.hu/ugyintezes/miben-segithetunk/tamogatas/)

– receives nursing fee,

– receives regular childcare allowance,

– has received home-building support,

– is a foster parent, a professional foster parent who raise in their household a child in temporary or long-term care,

– has tenancy relationship with Nemzeti Eszközkezelő (national asset management fund),

– receives children home care fee.

Available allowances:

  • Payment allowance (payment in installments, moratorium)
  • Prepaid meter: consumption meter that requires prepayment for consumption, so no arrears can accumulate.
  1. Persons shall be deemed consumers living with disabilities if they

– receive disability allowance,

– receive personal allowance for the blind,

– (on whom their parent or supporter) receive family allowance of a higher amount.

– disruption of the service directly endangers the life or health of a resident consumer or a person living within the same household.

Available allowances:

  • Special treatment regarding measuring, reading the meter, billing or payment (e.g., settlement of bill in cash at point of use, different from the general set-up of point of use, assistance to understand a bill, etc.) – unless there are persons in the household not deemed consumers living with disability
  • Emergency power supply (for periods of planned shutdown), or uninterrupted power supply (to prevent consequences of unplanned malfunction).
  • “Protection against cutting-off of supply” and prepaid meter

How to apply?

The energy service provider must register the consumers so affected. The following steps are necessary:

– fill out and sign the registration form related to consumers,

– have the form completed by the entity that has established you are entitled to protection. It is the Family Support Office of Józsefváros Municipality https://jozsefvaros.hu/otthon/polgarmesteri-hivatal/szervezeti-egysegek/csaladtamogatasi-iroda/ in the case of certain allowances or the Government Office of Budapest https://www.kormanyhivatal.hu/hu/budapest/jarasok/viii-keruleti-hivatal in other cases. The resolution establishing protection will tell you which.

– the completed and signed forms must be submitted to the Customer Service of the energy service provider within 30 days, the service provider must carry out registration within 8 days.

Further information:

Family Support Office of Józsefváros Municipality https://jozsefvaros.hu/otthon/polgarmesteri-hivatal/szervezeti-egysegek/csaladtamogatasi-iroda/

Electricity: https://www.mvmnext.hu/ee/egyetemes-szolgaltatas/tudnivalok/hasznos-informaciok/vedendo-fogyasztok

Natural gas: https://www.mvmnext.hu/foldgaz/Egyetemes-Szolgaltatas/Ugyintezes/Vedendo-fogyasztok

  • Gas tariff discount for multi-generation detached houses or multi-flat houses not operating as condominiums

Who is eligible for the discount?

The discount is available if there are not more than four flats at a property not deemed a condominium or housing cooperative.

If there are more than four flats in a house, it is worth to be declared a condominium and then each flat can make use of preferential tariffs on its own. You need to have a Memorandum to establish a condominium, assistance by a lawyer is advised.

How much is the discount?

  • – each flat is eligible for reduced gas tariffs of up to 144 m3/month,
  • – the discount shall apply up to 288 m3 if there are two separate living quarters, up to 432 m3 for three separate living quarters and up to 576 m3 for four separate living quarters.
  • All the above is valid for not more than four flats.

How to apply?

Request the notary of Józsefváros Municipality at the Urban Planning Office to issue a so-called “official certificate” on the number of “residential units”. It must be issued within 8 days.

You must submit the certificate to the gas service provider so that the residents in the house can get natural gas at the preferential rates applied to residential consumers.

Further information: 

 

  • Electricity discount for people using medical aids

Who is eligible for the discount?

Residential consumers if they or persons in their household use medical aids daily. The discount linked to a person can only be applied at one point of use, but several eligible persons can make use of it at the same point of use.

What medical aids can the discount be applied for?

The discount applies for electric wheelchairs, electric mopeds and oxygen concentrators operating on mains power purchased with social security support.

How much is the discount?

The discount above average consumption is: 1697 kWh

How to apply?

The applications must be submitted to the competent government office according to the point of use via the relevant government agency or online on the relevant application form. The forms can be downloaded from the websites of the government agencies.

You can find information on government agencies in District 8 here: https://kormanyablak.hu/hu/kormanyablakok/budapest/viii-kerulet/8

Further information:

SUBSIDIES BY THE MUNICIPALITY OF BUDAPEST

  • Utilities assistance by the Municipality of Budapest

Who is eligible?

People in need living in Budapest who are end users of one of the following services:

  • district heating,
  • water supply,
  • sewage,
  • garbage collection,
  • district heating,
  • power supply

and can verify that they or a person living in the same household:

  • receives non-contributory old-age allowance,
  • is eligible for active age benefit,
  • receives municipality allowance to cover housing-related regular expenses,
  • receives nursing fee,
  • receives children home care fee,
  • receives municipality aid provided to people having accumulated housing-related arrears
  • receives old-age support provided to people doing long-term care,
  • receives job search allowance,
  • receives job search allowance before retirement,
  • receives family allowance of a higher amount.
  • receives disability allowance,
  • receives personal allowance for the blind,
  • receives regular childcare allowance,
  • has received home-building support,
  • is a foster parent, a professional foster parent who raise in their household a child in temporary or long-term care,
  • is in public employment,
  • has tenancy relationship with Nemzeti Eszközkezelő (national asset management fund),
  • has been registered as a job applicant but is no longer eligible for unemployment benefit,
  • is a protected consumer or user.

In addition, persons are eligible for utility assistance by the Municipality of Budapest if they receive:

  • old-age pension,
  • benefit before age limit or service emoluments,
  • rehabilitation benefit or disability benefit,
  • disability pension,
  • accident pension,
  • miners’ health damage annuity,
  • miners’ temporary annuity,
  • dance artists’ annuity

and the monthly amount of their pension/annuity is not more than 200,000 HUF.

How much is the subsidy?

Monthly allowance to support district heating fee is 2000 HUF

Monthly subsidy to support water, sewage and garbage disposal service fees is 2000 HUF

Monthly subsidy to support gas supply fees is 2000 HUF

Monthly subsidy to support power supply fees is 2000 HUF

Eligible residents can apply for not more than two types of subsidies. You can apply for a single type of subsidy too, but you cannot submit application for another type until the first one expires.

Fee subsidies are not paid in cash but are credited to the energy bills of consumers.

The subsidies are valid for 12 months beginning from crediting the first amount.

How to apply?

Application forms for fee subsidies

Further information:

Hálózat Alapítvány

http://www.halozatalapitvany.hu

1519 Bp. Pf. 345

halozat-alapitvany@dbrt.hu

+36 1 999 6250

  • Subsidies by Hálózat Alapítvány

Subsidies for the settlement of arrears 

Who is eligible? 

Residents in need in arrears with payment of district heating, water, sewage or garbage removal fees

The Board of Trustees of the Foundation, as a rule, offers support to residents whose net monthly income is at or below 120,000 HUF (150,000 HUF if they live on their own). In specific justified cases subsidies can be provided beyond the above income limit.

How much is the subsidy?

The maximum amount of subsidies is 350,000 HUF.

Provision of the subsidies is subject to payment of 30% of the debt – installments are also allowed.

Where and how to apply?

To apply you also need a supporting proposal by a welfare organization (for instance our local social and child welfare agency called JSZSZGYK: https://jszszgyk.hu/), so applicants should directly approach the welfare organization to submit their applications.

The welfare organization decide about supporting proposals in view of the given subsidy and the applicant’s social, income and asset position.

Further information:

Hálózat Alapítvány http://www.halozatalapitvany.hu/article/tamogatasi-szabalyzat

Crisis support 

Who is eligible? 

Residents in need in arrears who are threatened with the termination of service provision immediately or in the near future and with termination of their tenancy agreement as a result of non-payment of water, sewage and garbage removal fees.

The Board of Trustees of the Foundation, as a rule, offers support to residents whose net monthly income is at or below 120,000 HUF (150,000 HUF if they live on their own). In specific justified cases subsidies can be provided beyond the above income limit.

How much is the subsidy?

The maximum amount of subsidies is 350,000 HUF.

Crisis support can be extended to cover arrears of rent, but their sum total is limited and cannot go beyond 20% of the total subsidy provided by the Board of Trustees.

Provision of the subsidies is subject to payment of 30% of the debt – installments are also allowed.

Where and how to apply?

To apply you also need a supporting proposal by a welfare organization (for instance our local social and child welfare agency called JSZSZGYK: https://jszszgyk.hu/), so applicants should directly approach the welfare organization to submit their applications.

The welfare organization decides about supporting proposals in view of the given subsidy and the applicant’s social, income and asset position.

Further information:

Hálózat Alapítvány http://www.halozatalapitvany.hu/article/tamogatasi-szabalyzat

ASSISTANCE BY JÓZSEFVÁROS MUNICIPALITY

These subsidies are available for people who are Hungarian citizens or have an international protection status (e.g. refugee, subsidiary protection, temporary protection) or are settled or stateless and have a permanent address in the 8th district.

  • Community laundries in the district

The target group of the service are persons living in Józsefváros and having their permanent address or residence there (except if their address is in some institution), whose social situation and/or housing conditions make washing and drying clothes impossible or very difficult.

To make use of the service, you need to register presenting your ID and address cards. The service fee is 200 HUF/load/occasion. You can do your laundry by appointment in person and you can wash two loads a day.

Community laundry in Diószegi utca

Diószegi Sámuel utca 13.

Phone: 06-1/790-5910

Email: mosoda@jszszgyk.hu

Opening hours:

Monday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Tuesday: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Wednesday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Thursday: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Friday: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm

Community Place and Laundry in Szerdahelyi utca

Szerdahelyi utca 13.

Phone: +36 20 521 7728

Email: mosoda@jszszgyk.hu

Opening hours:

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Friday: 8:30 am – 1 pm

  • Home refurbishment subsidy to tenants of municipal housing 

Tenants living in flats owned by Józsefváros Municipality can apply for investments worth 50,000 HUF to 300,000 HUF gross. The whole amount of the subsidies are post-financed. The Municipality is expected to invite the next applications in November 2022.

Further information:

JGK Vagyongazdálkodási Igazgatóság [asset management directorate]

Őr utca 8.

Email: vagyongazdalkodas@jgk.hu

Phone: 06-1 314-1098

Website: http://jgk.hu/167-vagyongazdalkodasi-igazgatosag

  • Subsidies for people with subsistence problems

Who is eligible?

Persons can apply for that form of extraordinary subsidy, if their subsistence is periodically or long-term jeopardized and the monthly income by consumption unit in the family is below 128,250 HUF in case of one or two-member families or 114,000 HUF in case of three and more-member families.

Consumption unit calculator: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ih3SOQzRXn0yeV4Ro0YXc5na_CJN07ivXCh_u8WdJa0/template/preview

How much is the subsidy?

It can be provided four times a year; 1 month must pass between the submission of applications. The following can be selected: voucher, cash or for reduction of housing costs.

The amount of subsidies is subject to the size and income of families, but the annual limit is 50,000 HUF to 75,000 HUF. Maximum 30,000 HUF can be given for an application. If the subsidy is requested for settlement of housing costs via transfer to the service provider(s), it can be maximum 40,000 HUF /occasion subject to the annual limit.

Where and how to apply?

Applications can be submitted from September in person at the Family Support Office of the Municipality, by mail or electronically.

Further information: https://jozsefvaros.hu/ugyintezes/miben-segithetunk/tamogatas/

  • Heating and utilities subsidy

Who is eligible?

The target group of the service are persons living in Józsefváros and having their permanent address or residence there, whose monthly income for a consumption unit is below 99,750 HUF for one or two-member households or below 85,500 HUF for three or more-member households.

Consumption unit calculator: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ih3SOQzRXn0yeV4Ro0YXc5na_CJN07ivXCh_u8WdJa0/template/preview

How much is the subsidy?

That form of extraordinary municipality subsidy can be given from the beginning of October till the end of March. Its amount is 6,000 HUF a month transferred directly to the heating service provider, which appears on the applicant’s bill as a reduction.

Where and how to apply?

Applications can be submitted from September in person at the Family Support Office of the Municipality, by mail or electronically.

Further information: https://jozsefvaros.hu/ugyintezes/miben-segithetunk/tamogatas/

  • Subsidies for the debt settlement

Who is eligible?

You can apply for the subsidy if you are in housing related arrears for at least two months, and you are or have been in a one-month preliminary cooperation with JSzSzGyK. You will be exempt from it if any of the services have already been terminated because of your debt.

Further conditions include:

– applicants have no maintenance or annuity contracts on their flats,

– applicants have received no subsidies for settlement of arrears from the Municipality over the past year,

– applicants agree to participate in individual or group advisory sessions on arrears management,

– applicants agree to pay own funds, which is 25% of the arrears,

– the monthly income by consumption unit in their households is not more than 142,500 HUF.

How does it operate?

Monthly transfer (for maximum 2 years) or debt write-off of debts to the Municipality up to the amount of the debt managed.

How much is the subsidy?

75% of the debt managed, but not more than 300,000 HUF (maximum debt to be managed is 500,000 HUF).

Where to apply?

JÓZSEFVÁROS SOCIAL SERVICES AND CHILD WELFARE CENTER (JSZSZGYK)

Népszínház u. 22. (entrance from Kiss József utca)

Phone: 061-333-0582, 06-20-426-7257

Email: info@jszszgyk.hu

Further information: https://jozsefvaros.hu/ugyintezes/miben-segithetunk/tamogatas/

  • Debt settling subsidies

Who is eligible?

You can apply for the subsidy if you are tenant in or user of a flat owned by the Municipality and the following conditions apply:

– you have concluded an installment agreement with Józsefváros Business Center on payment of rent or other housing-related (e.g., water, waste removal) debt,

– you have already paid half of the installments,

– the monthly income by consumption unit in your household is not more than 114,000 HUF.

How does it operate?

Debt write-off

How much is the subsidy?

Not more than 49% of the debt.

Where to apply?

JÓZSEFVÁROS SOCIAL SERVICES AND CHILD WELFARE CENTER (JSZSZGYK)

Népszínház u. 22. (entrance from Kiss József utca)

Phone: 061-333-0582, 06-20-426-7257

Email: info@jszszgyk.hu

Further information: https://jozsefvaros.hu/ugyintezes/miben-segithetunk/tamogatas/

  • Purchase voucher once a year

How much is the subsidy?

A purchase voucher of 10,000 HUF can be applied for once a year irrespective of earlier applications for extraordinary municipality subsidies, i.e., they can be submitted together.

Who is eligible?

You can apply, if the monthly income per one consumption unit is at or below 128,250 HUF in the case of one or two-member families, or 114,000 HUF in three or more-member families.

Consumption unit calculator: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ih3SOQzRXn0yeV4Ro0YXc5na_CJN07ivXCh_u8WdJa0/template/preview

Where and how to apply?

Applications can be submitted from September in person at the Family Support Office of the Municipality, by mail or electronically.

Further information: https://jozsefvaros.hu/ugyintezes/miben-segithetunk/tamogatas/

  • Energy package 

The Municipality is planning to invite applications for gift energy packages. JSzSZGyK is going to take part in distributing the packages, The packages are expected to include the following: thermal foil behind radiator, energy saving bulbs, window sealing tape. More information on application soon.

HOW TO SAVE ENERGY AND REDUCE YOUR UTILITY BILLS?

  • Energy saving advisory sessions at the Mayor’s Office

As part of the utility bills reduction package of the Municipality, the staff of the Green Office offer clients advisory sessions of 4 hours weekly at the Family Support Office beginning from 1st week of October at the following dates:

Monday: 10-11 am and 3 pm – 4 pm

Wednesday 10 am – 11 am and 2 pm – 3 pm

  • Energy saving advice at RenoPont Office at Gutenberg tér 

A free advisory service under the PowerPoor program aiming to save energy offers interested residents assistance to understand their energy-related expenses, reveals wrong or wasteful patterns of energy consumption and provides advice on how to reduce high utility bills.

Why should you attend? To get ideas on how to save money and energy by reducing gas and electricity consumption without major investments.

When and where? At RenoPont Office at Gutenberg tér 2 every Thursday from 9 am to 10 am (entrance from Kőfaragó utca).

Please, make an appointment in advance, telephone: 06-1-4592252 or 06-30-815-2710.

Email: lennert.zsofia@jozsefvaros.hu

  • Everyday tips to reduce energy consumption:

 Heating: Heating makes up two-third of household energy consumption.

  • “Socks rule”- wear warm socks and sweaters instead of turning up your heating.
  • Heat smart – turn off heating when you are not at home and do not heat unused rooms. You can save about 10,000 HUF a year if you reduce home temperature by 1°C.
  • Air smart – air the house for short periods several times a day during the warmest hours. Your home will be aired in a few minutes’ time by opening several windows/doors and making a cross draft. Turn off heating for the time of airing.
  • Use thermal foil – placed behind the radiators, it throws heat back to the room, so the heat will not be wasted in the walls or leave to the street.
  • Use door and window insulating pads – they keep out the cold flowing in under doors and windows.

Electricity:

  • Use energy saving bulbs – replace traditional bulbs with LED bulbs that consume much less power.
  • Turn off what you can – most electronic devices never turn off, they are in standby mode. It means they consume electricity without us noticing. So, it is best to pull what you can (e.g., telephone chargers) out of the sockets.
  • Shut the door of the fridge – take care that the door of the fridge is only open for the shortest time possible.
  • Defrost cooling devices – fridges and freezers use a lot of energy. Defrosting them regularly will reduce your electricity bills. Take care to keep the fridge and freezer at the necessary temperature only.
  • Place cooling devices well – do not place the fridge and freezer so that they are exposed to direct heat as it requires more energy for proper operation, which will result in a higher energy bill.
  • The freezer should not be empty – an empty freezer consumes more energy. Fill plastic bottles with water and put them in the freezer.
  • Launder smart – you will consume less electricity if you launder your clothes at lower temperature. Start your washing machine when it is full, so you can save both water and electricity.

–       Energy efficient devices – if you can buy new electric devices, look out for energy-efficient ones (A or A+ categories).

–       Regular maintenance of electric devices – if your electric devices are not in a proper state, they may consume much more energy (e.g., descaling electric boilers). Provide regular maintenance.

  • RenoPont operating and maintenance advice

RenoPont Energy Home Refurbishment Center have put together many useful pieces of advice to be used before and after home refurbishment to save energy: https://renopont.hu/felujitanek/cikk/uzemeltetesi-karbantartasi-tanacsok

You can receive personalized advice at Gutenberg tér 2: https://renopont.hu/kapcsolat/irodaink/budapest

  • Budapest Solar Map

Using the solar map you can see what part of the roof of your house is suitable to make use of solar energy, what capacity solar panels can be placed on it and how much electricity can be produced by them annually. The website also offers useful advice on installing solar panels.

Further information:

Budapest Driven by the Sun: https://nappalhajtva.budapest.hu/szolar-terkep/

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