Understanding your bill
How to read your electricity and gas bill: unit price, standing charge, monthly instalments, 2026 price components, mandatory details and what to do about errors.
Read the guideGuides · As of 2026
Electricity and gas clearly explained.
From the annual bill and price increases to balcony solar systems: our guides explain the most important rules and give practical tips – with sources, as of 2026.
Bills & contracts
Reading your meter
How to read your meter correctly: electricity meters, smart meters, HT/NT and gas meters explained. When to take a reading and what helps against estimates.
Read the guidePrice increases & cancelling
Electricity or gas price increase? How to check the letter, use your special termination right under § 41 EnWG and switch in time without a gap in supply.
Read the guideBasic supply
What default and substitute supply for electricity and gas mean, why they often cost more, which deadlines apply and how to switch to a suitable tariff.
Read the guideTerm, price guarantee & bonus
How to read electricity and gas contracts: contract term, notice period, cancellation button, withdrawal, bonus and price guarantee, with an offer checklist.
Read the guideWhen money is tight
Cannot pay your electricity or gas bill? How to adjust monthly instalments, agree an instalment plan, prevent disconnection and find free help and advice.
Read the guideSaving & technology
Saving electricity
Where your household electricity goes, what stand-by costs and how to save when cooling, washing and cooking. With benchmark figures from the Stromspiegel.
Read the guideSaving on heating
Room temperature, airing, thermostats and hydraulic balancing: how to reduce your gas use. With values from the Heizspiegel and the CO2 price for 2026.
Read the guideSmart meters
Modern metering device or smart meter system: who gets a smart meter, the maximum it may cost in 2026 and how installation on request works in Germany.
Read the guideDynamic tariffs
How dynamic electricity tariffs work, what the exchange price has to do with them, who they suit and what the risks are. With a worked example, as of 2026.
Read the guideBalcony solar
What applies to plug-in solar devices in 2026: 800 VA and 2,000 Wp, registration in the Marktstammdatenregister, tenants' rights, plugs, yield and insurance.
Read the guideBasics
Energy terms A–Z
Abschlag, Arbeitspreis, MaLo-ID, Netzentgelt or Zustandszahl: the key German terms on electricity and gas bills and in contracts, explained briefly and clearly.
Read the guideFrequently asked questions
Who writes the guides?
The guides are written by MB Finance. We check figures and rules against official sources such as legal texts, the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) and the consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale), and list them at the end of each page.
Do the guides replace legal advice?
No. They give a clear overview. If you have a dispute with your supplier, the consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) or the energy arbitration board (Schlichtungsstelle Energie) can help.
Can I ask questions personally?
Yes. Call us, or write to us on WhatsApp or by email – in German, Persian or English.
Get personal advice
Call us, send us a message on WhatsApp or by email, or request a quote directly. We give advice by phone or Microsoft Teams – in German, Persian and English.