Electricity and gas bills: increases starting from October

Every quarter, ARERA announces the new rates for electricity and gas costs, and this time the increases on Italian families' bills will be record-breaking. The new October communication was not easy to digest, as it marked the arrival of very high increases. Let's take a closer look at how much these increases will amount to, and the simplest methods to save on expenses.

How much more will Italian families pay?

The increase in energy costs will lead to a total increase in the bill of approximately 44%, because both electricity and gas will increase, by 29,8% and 14,4% respectively. This is due to the recovery of the energy market: 2021 was a sort of compensation for 2020, which had instead marked downward and historic low rates, both for gas and electricity. In any case, the previous figures were filtered by the recent government intervention, which made it possible to reduce the increases, avoiding even higher prices.

How to avoid price increases

Those who join the market with controlled prices have no way of avoiding the increases listed above, but can still act to soften the expense and reduce waste. First of all, however, it is suggested to intervene upstream: by comparing gas and electricity rates, even online, to find the best and most convenient opportunities for your situation. After finding a cheaper energy supplier, it will be much easier to carry the savings downstream, for example by turning off the lights when they are not needed and avoiding leaving the appliances on standby. Of course, there are many tips for reducing the impact of increases in bills. Now that autumn is starting, for example, it is advisable to overhaul the heating system, so as to allow it to work at 100% and avoid unnecessary waste of gas. Secondly, it is necessary to learn how to use household appliances correctly. To give a concrete example, you should always use the washing machine and dishwasher with a full load, possibly without pre-washing and using quick programs and with water that is not too hot.

Government intervention

The October increases were filtered by a direct intervention of the Government, which allowed them to be reduced, but without being able to cancel them. Italians will still save a considerable amount, considering that without the Government's intervention the increases would have risen from 44% to about 75%. The Government has underlined, in any case, the need for a profound restructuring of bills, to allow a more sustainable system for families in the future.