The General Council of Colleges of Property Managers, referred to as CGCAFE, met with the Institute for Energy Diversification and Conservation, IDAE, to discuss energy conservation strategies and the regulated gas rate applicable to owner communities that use central heating with individualized consumption charges. The objective was to align energy pricing with actual usage while protecting residents from volatile energy markets and ensuring fair cost distribution among households.
According to Paul Abascal, who oversees CGCAFE, the intention behind this measure is to direct the Institute’s efforts toward ensuring that communities with centralized heating are charged based on their specific consumption. This approach opens opportunities for owner communities to adopt individualized rates as a means to reflect real energy use. Estate managers believe that most communities will support the move to individualized wages for energy, which would spare them from shouldering gas price volatility in the free market. For communities facing conditions that do not permit installation of standard individual consumption meters or cost allocators, administrators are advocating that the regulated gas rate be extended to those communities as well.
The discussion also touched on electricity pricing. Electricity costs have recently fallen by 15.1 percent, dipping below 300 euros, a development that could influence overall household energy budgeting. Managers of university and school properties are actively coordinating with public authorities to ensure that a value-added tax reduction from 21 percent to 5 percent is extended to natural gas bills and to the energy bills of owner communities. Such measures could translate into meaningful economic savings and broaden the number of residents who may reduce or even forego centralized heating services.
CGCAFE highlighted that the current price environment is likely to exert a significant negative impact on owner communities both now and in the near future. Demand for housing may rise, driven by a desire for more efficient energy solutions, while households weigh the costs of heating in a market that has shown volatility. Abascal emphasized that a paradox exists in which a well insulated but expensive house could be deemed luxurious, whereas a more accessible, commonly used centralized system could become a more economical option under regulated pricing. The idea is to promote rational energy use without forcing households to overpay in a free market that does not necessarily reward efficiency.
Rising electricity and gas prices have placed a heavier burden on owners and their communities, constraining budgets and prompting discussions about energy savings. Reduced energy usage and shorter heating hours are among the measures being considered to maintain affordability for residents while preserving comfort. The council underscored that without decisive interventions, some neighborhoods may struggle to cover community costs, shifting the burden to other owners.
Looking ahead, the council advocates for proactive measures to secure funding and guidance for building rehabilitation aimed at boosting energy efficiency. They encourage communities to seek European funds and to obtain comprehensive information from managers about available grants, including where to apply and how much assistance may be provided. The overarching belief is that retrofitting buildings will cut energy consumption, lower operating costs, and create more sustainable living environments for residents.
Following the latest price revision, the third quarter of the year 2022 saw updated regulated gas rates. The increase in the variable portion of the TUR RL rate raised the cost to households, underscoring the ongoing need for policy attention to energy pricing and its impact on community budgets. The discussions reflect a broader concern about how to balance fair energy pricing with incentives for energy efficiency across owner communities and public institutions alike.