Energy Situation 

The Natural Gas Heat Emergency Relief Act (EWSG) came into force on 19 November 2022. The law specifically regulates how consumers are relieved of the costs for performance-based natural gas and heat for the month of December 2022. With the Act, the Federal Government assumes the costs for the December discount for gas and district heating in order to bridge the period until the gas price brake becomes effective. We hereby comply with the envisaged information obligations and inform you in particular about how the relief is to be passed on to you.

Information according to § 5 para. 2 EWSG

• District heating supply: Stadtwerke Energie Jena-Pößneck has informed us that a one-off relief will be granted in December 2022 in accordance with Section 4 (1) EWSG in the total amount of EUR 816,000 for all withdrawal points of jenawohnen GmbH.
• Central gas supply: Stadtwerke Energie Jena-Pößneck has informed us that the relief for December will take place with the year-end statement for 2022. The exact relief amounts for each building have not yet been determined.
• We will take the calculated relief amounts into account in the heating cost statement for the 2022 billing period to reduce costs and show them separately according to your share and pass them on to you in full.
• The relief is financed from federal funds.

Information according to § 5 para. 4 EWSG

• Tenants whose heat prepayments were increased during the last nine months before 19 November 2022 due to the rising costs for piped natural gas and heat are exempt from paying this increased amount in the month of December.
• New tenants (movied in during the last nine months) are allowed to reduce a flat rate of 25% of the advance operating cost payments for the month of December 2022.

We would like to point out that the reduction of the December advance payment allowed by law does not constitute a credit or exemption from heating costs and does not apply automatically.

In order to avoid a payment reminder, you should inform us immediately in written form about the enforcement of your right on reduction.

As the use of this one-time exemption option may lead to increased additional payments in the 2022 operating costs statement, we recommend that you renounce.

Further information is available here:

Information Stadtwerke Energie Jena-Pößneck

Information by Federal Government

Consumer Advice Centre - Information and consultation

No, because the relief will be passed on by jenawohnen with the next heating cost statement in 2023.

As district heating is generated to approx. 95 % by gas, it is also affected by the price increase. Currently (as of October2022), we are assuming an increase of around 70 % for the year 2023.

Yes! This is because the gas price brake does not absorb 100% of the energy costs and, on the other hand, the costs depend on your consumption. In addition, it is impossible to predict how gas prices and other costs will develop.

For this reason, we recommend that you increase your monthly prepayments accordingly in order to prevent a potential additional payment and to continue to integrate energy-saving measures into your everyday life.

If you would like to increase your advance payments, you can use our form for operating cost adjustment.

As landlords, we are also affected by the rise in energy prices. In order to spare you unpleasant surprises, we increase the advance payments for operating costs as part of the operating cost statements.

In addition, you have the option to adjust your advance payment at any time. Please note that the amount may not be lower than the amount you currently pay. 

At present, we cannot make a precise statement about what the optimal increase in your service charge advance payment might be. This is very individual and depends, among other things, on your consumption, flat size and number of occupants.

Based on the costs for 2022, we can give you an increase in the service charge advance payment of 50% - 70% as a basis for assessment. Please note that this is a very rough guideline that can change very quickly due to the current situation (as of October 2022).

If you would like to increase your advance payment of service charges, you can send us your request for adjustment by e-mail to betriebskosten@jenawohnen.de, or fill out our contact sheet.

An increase is also expected in the cold operating costs. This is due to the higher minimum wage and the increase in prices of material and transport costs of service providers, among other things.

Explanation: In the case of operating costs, a distinction is made between so-called cold and warm costs. Warm operating costs include consumption-dependent components such as hot water or heating. Cold operating costs include, among other things, the cost of maintaining the green areas, maintenance of elevators or lighting the stairwell. You will find the exact breakdown of the cost items in your operating costs statement.

We are aware that the current situation is a particular challenge for many households. As a general rule, no one will lose their flat with jenawohnen because of the current increase in service charges. If you are affected or find yourself in a difficult economic situation for other reasons, please contact us immediately.

Together, we will discuss the possibilities (entitlement to housing benefit or other social benefits, offers from associations and social institutions, instalment payments, etc.) and find a suitable solution!

You can reach us per e-mail at soziales@jenawohnen.de or recht@jenawohnen.de.

The billing is based on the individual consumption of the tenants. The size of the flat and the number of residents also influence the costs. If consumption is higher, the costs are adjusted upwards accordingly. As a result, the advance payment can vary.

If you are looking for a smaller or cheaper flat due to the increased costs, please fill out our form for prospective tenants and book an appointment with our advisory team at the same time. We will try to support you in your search as best we can.

Fan heaters and radiators require a lot of electrical energy. Since the kilowatt hour of electricity is significantly more expensive than district heating or natural gas, the costs cannot be reduced by the additional use of fan heaters or radiators. Moreover, these devices are usually not designed for permanent use. Also, the high power consumption of 2000W can overload the house installation and, in the worst case, even the power grid. For these reasons, we advise against the use of fan heaters and radiators.

Source: Energie kurz erklärt - Heizen mit Strom 

The heating thermostat is a controller with which the room temperature can be influenced via the flow rate of the hot water. Depending on the setting, a certain amount of heating water flows through the radiator when the thermostat is opened. When the set room temperature is reached, the valve of the heating thermostat closes and thus reduces the flow rate of the heating water until the valve is completely closed. If the room temperature drops, the valve opens again until the desired or set temperature is reached.

On most manual heating thermostats, the levels 1 to 5 are shown. In addition, there are symbols such as the star or the snowflake for the frost protection setting. Depending on the level, you select your desired temperature. Increasing one level corresponds to a temperature difference of 3 to 4 degrees Celsius more.

Feel free to check the room temperature with a thermometer if necessary.

Yes, the flow temperature of the heating system is adjusted to the outside temperature over the course of the year to save energy.

The water temperature is not regulated down by jenawohnen. The reason for this is that legionella can form at lower water temperatures. To avoid this, the hot water pipes and the hot water tank must be regularly flushed with hot water in order to kill any legionella that may form and to ensure the quality of the drinking water in the long term.

Tip: You can save hot water, for example, by showering less frequently or for a shorter period of time.

Explanation: Legionella are bacteria that can form in tap water. This occurs, for example, if the hot water temperature is permanently too low or if stagnation occurs in the pipe system due to non-use of taps. Legionella are inhaled as aerosol and can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhoea or pneumonia, among other things. At jenawohnen, the hot water pipes and hot water tanks are regularly tested for legionella in accordance with legal regulations.

You can find more information here: Legionellen - infektionsschutz.de

If the radiator is not sufficiently warm or makes bubbling noises, then a check of the heating system is necessary. Usually, the reason for the reduced heating output is air in the radiator. 

We would like to ask you not to ventilate your radiators yourself at first! This is because the pressure in the heating system should be checked both before and after the ventilation and, if necessary, water should be added. In an apartment building with central heating, this requires consultation with us as the landlord, because tenants cannot check and readjust the heating pressure themselves.

If you have problems with your radiator, contact your tenant advisor.

Draughty or defective windows can have a negative effect on the room temperature and unnecessarily drive up heating costs. However, draughts are not always caused by windows that do not seal properly.

Some windows have technically necessary and deliberate air supply openings, e.g. systems such as Regelair. These supply air openings are necessary for the operation of the exhaust air systems in the bathrooms. The energy loss due to intentional ventilation is necessary and very low. The intended ventilation openings are important for the indoor climate and must not be closed. Otherwise, mould formation in the flat is encouraged.

Wear and tear and/or temperature fluctuations mean that maintenance or repairs to the windows may be necessary. If you suspect that your windows are leaking or defective, please feel free to fill out our contact sheet „report damage” or contact your tenant advisor. Our caretakers will look at your windows promptly and discuss further measures with you.

Tip: Place a sheet of paper between the window and close it. Can you pull out the sheet of paper while it is closed? If so, the seals may need to be replaced.

Misted windows or windows on which condensation has already formed are always a sign of warm, humid air in the flat. To avoid this, you should ventilate regularly. Open the windows for 10 to 15 minutes in the morning and in the evening. A tilted window is not sufficient.

If condensation has formed, wipe it off with a dry cloth to prevent mould from forming in the joints and surrounding wallpaper.