To make your move into your new home in Luxembourg as smooth as possible, make sure you have the right electricity and gas supply. Here's what you need to do to get your energy supply.
In addition, we give you a number of important tips and pointers for reducing your energy consumption and your bills.
Want to produce your own green energy? We'd like to remind you about photovoltaic installation bonuses.
Connecting to the electricity grid in Luxembourg
When you move into your new home, your previous tenant or landlord is unlikely to have cut off access to the electricity network. At the very least, all you have to do is take over the contracts. You can also opt for another electricity supplier.
Choosing your electricity supplier in Luxembourg
What do I need to know about electricity suppliers?
Price differences between electricity suppliers in Luxembourg can be significant. As with gas, you'll want to compare offers to save money on your electricity bill.
Suppliers offer different types of electricity, depending on the energy source used. Indeed, Luxembourg is increasingly favoring more carbon-neutral energy sources.
Electricity supply for apartment buildings
If you live in a block of flats, the building manager or your landlord manages the electricity supply and service provider for all the units. You won't necessarily be able to choose the service provider. Your consumption will either be deducted from the building's charges, or deducted directly by a meter installed in your home. Find out more when you visit your home.
Electricity supply for single-family homes
If you live in a single-family home, you are free to choose your service provider for your electricity supply. You can keep the same subscription as your predecessor, for greater simplicity when you move into your new home.
Once installed, however, we recommend that you compare electricity offers and possibly switch to a cheaper provider.
Compare electricity costs based on your consumption
On the ilr.lu website, the Institut Luxembourgeois de Régulation answers all your questions about your electricity subscription. You can also compare offers from different electricity suppliers to choose the one that suits you best.
With the Calculix price comparator, you can simulate electricity consumption according to your household composition and the surface area of your home.
Electricity consumption and prices in Luxembourg
The electricity consumed in Luxembourg comes from Europe. Most of Luxembourg's electricity comes from Germany (70%) and France (23%).
Luxembourg is a forerunner in Europe when it comes to the use of renewable energy. 65% of the electricity supplied to homes and businesses comes from renewable energies, compared with 35% for Europe as a whole. 27% comes from fossil fuels, compared with 40% in Europe. Only 7% of electricity supplied comes from nuclear sources, compared with 35% for the rest of Europe.
Electricity prices have jumped by 10% in Luxembourg in 2021 and 2022. To curb inflation in electricity prices, the government has frozen prices until the end of 2024.
Gas subscription and connection in Luxembourg
Find your gas supplier in Luxembourg
There are very few gas suppliers in Luxembourg. As competition is limited, prices soar. There are considerable differences between the various suppliers. It may therefore be worth comparing offers and switching to a more economical provider if you notice significant differences.
Gas supply in a multi-family building in Luxembourg
If you move into a new apartment in a shared residence, the management company or the owner will be responsible for the supply of energy for heating. You'll be billed for the cost of heating on your monthly utility bill. Find out all you need to know when you first visit your new home, and make sure you do when you sign your lease.
Gas supply for single-family homes
If you live in an individual dwelling, you are free to choose your gas supplier. However, for an easy, trouble-free installation, simply switch to the same supplier as your predecessor. Ask your previous owners or tenants. You'll then be able to take over the service providers already in place.
Compare rates and change gas supplier
If you want to change your gas supplier, check with your local authority to find out which gas suppliers operate in your area.
Changing gas supplier is easy, since the new provider takes care of all the formalities. It will take over the gas supply service from your previous supplier. When you sign your new contract, you give them a mandate to intervene. Be careful, however, about the conditions and deadlines for termination.
The Institut Luxembourgeois de Régulation also answers all your questions relating to the gas supply on ilr.lu. In particular, you'll find a gas price comparator.
Use the Calculix price comparison tool to choose the best electricity or gas offer based on your zip code and the number of people in your household.
When comparing prices, be sure to take into account all the details of the contract, not just the cost of energy. There are many hidden costs that can increase the final bill.
You'll be able to choose the best gas supplier and directly download the documents you'll need to complete to switch.
Gas consumption and supply in Luxembourg
In Luxembourg, the various suppliers offer you environmentally-friendly natural gas produced in Europe.
Luxembourg imports half its gas from Belgium and the Netherlands. A quarter of its needs are covered by gas from Russia. The remaining quarter comes from liquid natural gas, supplied by oil ports. Luxembourg is therefore less dependent than some of its European neighbors in the conflict with Ukraine.
Consumer gas prices jumped 61% in 2021. and 2022. To combat this gas price inflation, the government has limited the price increase to 15% for 2024.
Luxembourg is ahead of many countries in its ability to offer bio-gas, i.e. gas produced from the decomposition of organic matter. Although more expensive, it is not only environmentally friendly, but also promotes Luxembourg's energy independence.
From 2023, new homes built in Luxembourg will no longer be equipped with gas heating.
Other types of heating for Luxembourg homes
Oil-fired heating in Luxembourg
In Luxembourg, some homes are still equipped with oil-fired boilers. This is currently more economical than electricity or gas, given the soaring cost of energy. The price of fuel oil, as well as the price of other energies, is set at national level by the Ministry of the Economy.
As with other types of heating, you need to have your oil-fired boiler serviced regularly .
There are many heating oil suppliers. Their contact details are easily accessible on the Internet.
Other solutions for heating your home in Luxembourg
Some homes are heated partly or totally by wood. With energy prices soaring, wood remains one of the most economical means of heating in Luxembourg. What's more, wood is totally natural and non-polluting, making it an eco-responsible fuel.
Local authorities regularly offer their residents the chance to buy firewood. If you have a wood-fired central heating system or wood-burning stove, contact your local authority for more information.
Boiler and heating system maintenance
Heating installations are regulated in Luxembourg and must be inspected regularly by a professional.
Inspections must be carried out every two years for solid and liquid fuel installations, and every 4 years for gas installations. However, we advise you to check your installation every year, to guarantee its safety and performance, and to preserve its longevity.
The Chambre des Métiers has a list of heating installers who hold a periodic inspection certificate for heating systems.
Tips for reducing energy consumption
At a time of soaring energy prices, and in order to save our natural resources, we all need to behave responsibly when it comes to using our energies. To reduce your gas or electricity bills, here are a few tips for saving energy.
Reduce the overall temperature of homes
- Reducing the temperature in our homes by 1 or 2 degrees can cut energy consumption and make significant savings. 1 degree less means 7% savings on your heating bill.
- Adjust the overall temperature of your home according to the hours you are present or absent. Lower the temperature during the night and raise it again 30 minutes before you wake up.
- The temperature in a bedroom should not exceed 19 degrees. Not only will you sleep much better, but you'll also save a lot of money.
Are your living rooms facing south? They'll need less heating as soon as the sun shines.
Warm up the bathroom when you take a shower or bath. - Remember to turn off the heating when you ventilate the room. Some heaters are equipped with an "open window" feature, which is very useful for saving money.
Equip yourself with intelligent systems
- Equip your heating system with intelligent applicationsthat will manage the temperature in your home for you, and help you make precious savings.
- Equip your radiators with individual thermostats and vary the temperature of the rooms in your home according to their purpose.
Insulating homes in Luxembourg
The energy class of your home is a valuable indicator of its insulation and energy performance. In Luxembourg, the CPE is mandatory when selling or renting a property, and must be renewed every 10 years. Find out more about the energy performance certificate.
What's more, the Luxembourg government commissions energy performance specialists to visit private homes in order to study ways in which improvements can be made. Financial assistance such as the Klima Loan is available to help individuals renovate and improve the energy performance of their homes.
Reduce your electricity bill in Luxembourg
Here are a few ways to reduce your electricity consumption and save money on your bills
- Remember to turn off the light when you leave a room.
- Defrost your freezer regularly.
- Don't forget to cover your pans when heating water or cooking food. They'll heat up faster and you'll save just as much.
- Use the eco programs on your household appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers.
- Don't leave unused appliances on standby. Remember to switch off your TV, computers, PS, box, etc. And don't leave telephone charging cords plugged in if no device is connected to them. You'll easily save 80 euros a year by applying these few measures.
- Reduce the water temperature of your water heater to 55 to 60 degrees Celsius. This is sufficient for everyday hot water use, and will prevent domestic accidents due to burns.
- Take advantage of the sun to dry your laundry outside whenever possible.
Photovoltaic panel installation in Luxembourg
Would you like to produce your own green energy? It's more than possible in Luxembourg. In fact, the Luxembourg government has set a target for green energy consumption of 25% of total consumption by 2030.
To achieve this goal, Luxembourg is encouraging private individuals to install photovoltaic solar panels on their homes. By producing your own energy, you're helping to reduce the negative impact of our energy consumption on the environment.
Government aid for photovoltaic installations
You can choose from 2 options for Klimabonus support:
- From January 1, 2022 to the end of 2025, the French government will finance the installation of your photovoltaic panels up to 20% of the cost of your system. It also guarantees a feed-in tariff capped at 500 euros/kwc.
- From January 1, 2023, you can opt for financing of up to 62.5% of the cost of your installation. This option is valid for installations invoiced up to the end of December 2025.
In addition, since the beginning of 2023, the installation of photovoltaic panels has benefited from a super-reduced VAT rate of 3%.
Municipal aid for the installation of photovoltaic panels
Some communes offer their residents additional support for the installation of solar panels. Ask your local council for details.
