District heating is currently causing outrage in Stuttgart. At an information event in Bad Cannstatt, EnBW presented an example with a €45,833 cost for a house connection. Many visitors were “downright shocked.” Added to this were €123,000 in building services costs for an apartment building. In the end, this meant a personal contribution of around €10,000 per apartment – despite government subsidies and significant investments. (stuttgarter-zeitung: 22.08.25)
High district heating costs despite subsidies
Although there are federal subsidies for efficient heating networks and buildings, the amounts are barely sufficient. Even after deducting these subsidies, owners still have to bear large sums. A particularly problematic issue is that all tenants in a building must agree to connect to the district heating system.
A comparison reveals significant differences. In Esslingen, a complete package with a heat exchanger costs around €23,000. In Mannheim, a connection to an existing line costs just €5,950, while a heat exchanger for a single-family home costs around €18,000. This shows that Stuttgart’s energy prices are significantly higher than those of other cities.
Hamburg and the energy price shock
District heating is also causing discontent in Hamburg. Hamburg’s energy utility is raising prices by an average of 30 percent. Officially, the company justifies the increase with billions of dollars invested in power plants such as Tiefstack and Wedel. However, customers consider this step excessive and speak of a sharp price increase for the heating system. (abendblatt: 22.08.25)
New contracts, in particular, are becoming a burden. Numerous households are faced with unexpected additional costs. Many feel blindsided by the changed terms and conditions and express strong criticism. A comparison of heating costs with other cities is sobering, as Hamburg is significantly more expensive.
District heating monopoly without alternative
A serious disadvantage concerns the market structure. The operators of the district heating networks hold a monopoly. Users cannot simply switch to a cheaper provider. Unlike with gas, telephone, or electricity, there is no choice in the district heating sector. This dependence reinforces criticism of rising prices and long-term contracts throughout the district heating market.
Conclusion: Climate target versus household budget
District heating is considered a climate-friendly solution, but in practice, it reveals massive problems. In Stuttgart, high connection costs are a deterrent, while in Hamburg, price increases burden existing customers. The lack of competition due to the monopoly further exacerbates the situation. While the ecological benefits remain, households are reaching their economic limits. Therefore, before making a decision, homeowners should conduct a thorough heating cost comparison, keep an eye on energy prices, and consider alternative heating systems.