Ms. Pop, have you already bought a warm blanket and an energy-saving shower head for the winter?

Katja Gelinsky

Business correspondent in Berlin

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I've had the shower head for a while.

And we're sure to have a woolen blanket too.

What questions and concerns about the energy crisis are people turning to the consumer advice centers?

The energy advice provided by the consumer advice centers is now also doing social work.

People don't just want classic energy saving tips, such as how to save on heating and hot water, but many ask themselves how I can still pay for it at all?

And she is concerned with the question of what to expect because the situation is currently very confusing.

Is the energy crisis the dominant topic?

We see that the demand for energy consulting is increasing drastically.

Otherwise there were around 170,000 consultations in this area on average over the year.

We are now expecting 260,000 consultations on energy issues by the end of the year.

Economics Minister Habeck speaks of a nightmare scenario because of the gas crisis.

Foreign Minister Baerbock fears popular uprisings in extreme cases.

How do you perceive the mood among consumers?

For many people, the mood is mainly characterized by uncertainty and worry.

Politicians choose drastic words, but do not clearly communicate what additional costs consumers will have to face.

And especially people who have hardly any money left are wondering when a new aid package will finally come.

The current relief expires on September 1st, but then the new gas levy should come on October 1st.

If the Chancellor only announces an aid package for next year, it will be too late for these people.

They want to know how they're getting through this fall and winter.

The gas surcharge is expected to come in October.

There are very different numbers circulating, which then comes to the consumer.

what can you say

What do people need to prepare for financially in winter?

The amount has not yet been determined, it is still being calculated in the ministry and the responsible authorities.

We are not included in that.

What is clear, however, is that people have to be prepared for the fact that it will be expensive.

Minister Habeck has said the surcharge will be somewhere between 1.5 and 5 cents per kilowatt hour.

The additional costs range from a few hundred to a few thousand euros.

Where is the limit for you?

For us, it is particularly urgent at the moment that state support must be organized for those who are already at the limit of their financial resilience.

When the levy comes, these aids must be available.

We assume that low-income groups such as housing benefit recipients, pensioners and students need permanent support in the form of a flat-rate heating allowance.

Because the prices will not drop in the foreseeable future.

Various accompanying measures are being discussed.

What would you be for, a gas price cap or an energy saving bonus?