With the arrival of winter and the turning on of the heating, the concern about the cost of gas bills grows. Also because the signs are not encouraging. While Meloni rejoices over the agreement with the EU Commission – the consequences of which are unclear – according to the latest data from the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment (Arera), in September the typical customer’s spending on the Gas Vulnerability Protection Service increased by 12.7% compared to August. An increase in prices that comes just on the eve of the months in which domestic consumption is destined to grow for the heating of homes. How much will it cost to keep the radiators on? Saving is possible.
How much heating costs: the gas bill simulation
A simulation by the Segugio.it Observatory indicates an annual expense of almost 1,400 euros for a family that also uses gas for heating. But by choosing one of the most convenient fixed price offers on the free market, the same family could save over 157 euros a year.
The Segugio.it Observatory compared the costs of the Vulnerability Protection Service with those of the best fixed price offer found on its comparator.
The simulation takes as reference a family residing in Milan with an annual consumption of 900 standard cubic meters (Smc) of gas, a profile that includes use for domestic heating.
In this case the estimated annual expense is equal to:
- 1,399.76 euros with the Vulnerability Protection Service;
- 1,242.37 euros with the best fixed price offer identified on the free market;
- 157.39 euros of annual savings, equal to 11.2%, by choosing the second solution.
Electricity and gas bills: how much you pay and how much you can save
The Segugio.it comparison also concerns families with reduced consumption and the supply of electricity. The difference is not negligible, especially considering that in the protection service the price of the raw material is updated monthly, following wholesale gas prices.
| Annual consumption | Expenditure on protection | Best fixed price | Difference |
| Gas, 220 Smc | €400.67 | €402.36 | Protection: -€1.69 |
| Gas, 900 Smc | €1,399.76 | €1,242.37 | Fixed: -€157.39 |
| Electricity, 1,200 kWh | €471.03 | €473.25 | Protection: -€2.22 |
| Electricity, 2,700 kWh | €896.13 | €825.77 | Fixed: -€70.36 |
The numbers show that there is no universally cheaper offer. For a family that consumes only 220 Scm of gas per year, the protection is slightly cheaper than the best fixed price recorded, with a difference of just 1.69 euros per year.
As consumption increases, however, the weight of the price applied to each cubic meter of gas increases. The most competitive fixed price offers can therefore become more advantageous: let’s see how.
How to save on heating: checks to do on your bill
The first step to understand if it is possible to spend is to check the conditions of the offer already active. In the new electricity and gas bill, the expiry of the economic conditions is shown on the title page and in the offer box, together with the effective date.
This is particularly important information for those with a fixed price contract. In fact, if economic conditions end during the winter, the price could change precisely in the period in which gas consumption is highest.
In case of renewal with modification of the economic conditions, the seller must send written communication with at least three months’ notice. The proposal indicates the new prices and related conditions, allowing the consumer to evaluate any alternatives.
Expensive bills, because the Italians risk paying the Germans for gas
Attention must also be paid to the fixed marketing fee, which is paid regardless of consumption. According to Segugio.it, in the best fixed offers on the free market this item can vary between 6 and 12 euros per month per supply: a difference that weighs especially on users with low consumption.
To compare contracts, the Arera Offer Portal is available, free and independent, which allows you to calculate the estimated annual expenditure by entering your consumption, the municipality of supply and other user characteristics.
Does anyone in the Gradual Protection Service have to change their contract?
A specific check also concerns families who, for electricity, remained in the Gradual Protection Service. The service, reserved among others for non-vulnerable domestic customers who had not switched to the free market, will end on 31 March 2027.
According to the indications released by Arera, those who do not independently choose an offer from the free market will switch from 1 April 2027 to an offer from their current seller, selected from those available in December 2026 based on the lowest estimated annual expenditure. The transition will take place without interruptions to supply.
There are over 1,100 euros of cumulative bonuses and discounts for bills: who can get them
Before changing, it is however advisable to compare the overall cost: in the Gradual Protection Service there is a negative fixed annual fee which can be particularly advantageous for those who consume little electricity. The rule, therefore, remains to compare the total annual expenditure and not just the price of a single kilowatt hour or cubic meter of gas.
As Paolo Benazzi, Managing Director Utilities of Segugio.it, observes, “Those who still have a variable price should inform themselves in a timely manner, especially if they consume a lot”. With winter upon us, knowing your contract can become as crucial as reducing your radiator consumption.