At the end of August, the price of wood rose, and pellets are still sold at very different prices. Belgrade power plants submitted a request for a change in thermal energy prices from October 1
Heating season officially begins on October 15, and procurement heating for the winter has already started in a big way. At warehouses and in advertisements, citizens are most often looking for wood, pellets, briquettes and different types of coal, but this year many buyers are expecting higher prices for certain energy sources.
In particular, according to traders, the price of wood rose at the end of August, while pellets are still sold at very different prices, depending on the manufacturer, quality and place of purchase. At the same time, coal mostly kept last year's price level, writes portal Nova.
Firewood is still considered one of the more affordable options compared to electricity or gas heating, but this year its price has increased due to higher demand and rising costs.
On the ads you can find beech, hornbeam, cherry, oak and acacia, and some sellers also offer wood packed in sacks, as well as shells for kindling. Prices of cubic meters depend on the type of wood, quality and delivery and range from about 6.000 to 8.000 dinars, while at some sellers they reach 10.000 dinars, especially when the price includes delivery to the address.
At warehouses, the price is generally a bit higher. At a warehouse in the vicinity of Novi Sad, a cube is sold for around 10.500 dinars, while cutting and splitting are additionally charged for 500 dinars each. In Belgrade, the price can be 2.000 to 3.000 dinars higher.
Compared to last year, wood is thus more expensive by about 2.000 to 3.000 dinars per cubic meter.
For a household that heats approximately 60 to 100 square meters, it is estimated that between seven and 12 cubic meters of wood are needed for an average heating season. At a price of 10.000 dinars per cubic meter, this means a cost of up to about 120.000 dinars, or approximately 1.000 euros. A larger house or household, of course, needs more firewood.
In addition to wood, briquettes are also present on the market. Its price is currently around 36.000 dinars per ton, which makes it a cheaper option compared to wood at the listed prices.
The final amount paid by the household is also affected by transportation. Delivery is additionally calculated at a large number of sellers, so the price displayed on the ad or at the warehouse may not represent the final cost.
Unlike wood and pellets, coal did not suffer a significant price increase this season. According to available information from the warehouse, a ton of coal in Serbia costs between 15.000 and 28.000 dinars, depending on the type, quality and origin.
Traders state that prices are mostly stable, which they associate with moderate demand and the fact that some other types of firewood have risen significantly in price.
Coal can also be found through classifieds, where raw and dried coal and charcoal are offered. The most expensive is dried, while among the cheaper variants is charcoal, i.e. lignite.
As with other types of firewood, transportation to the home can add to the final price.
Pellets remain one of the most common ways of heating with solid fuel, primarily because of the comfort and the possibility of automating the system. However, the price significantly depends on the manufacturer, quality and point of sale.
Currently, a ton, or a pallet of pellets, can be found for around 33.000 or 34.000 dinars, but prices go up to 50.000 dinars. The ads offer different varieties, from pellets advertised as "genuine" beech, through A1 and A2 quality with a guarantee, to products sold as cheaper, lower quality firewood.
One of the ads, for example, states a price of 44.000 dinars, while a package of 65 sacks of 15 kilograms is offered for around 400 euros. On the other hand, it is possible to find pellets at a price of around 32.000 dinars, with the seller's note that it is a lower quality product.
The problem for buyers is not only the price. According to traders, in some cases the wait for pellets is up to two weeks.
The reason why households still choose it is that it is easier to use. Unlike classic wood and coal, there is no daily splitting, stacking and multiple burning. Stoves and boilers automatically dispense fuel and maintain the temperature, while the tank needs to be refilled only after a few days.
With high-quality pellets, about one percent of ash remains after combustion, so cleaning the system is less frequent and simpler. Standard 15-kilogram sacks also take up significantly less space than the amount of wood or coal that would be needed for approximately the same amount of heat produced.
When it comes to citizens who use district heating, it was announced on September 23 that Belgrade Power Plants submitted a request to the Secretariat for Energy to change the prices of thermal energy from October 1.
According to the proposal, the variable part of the price for residential space would be reduced from 8,21 to 7,76 dinars per kilowatt-hour without VAT, while the price for commercial space would drop from 10,02 to 9,46 dinars per kilowatt-hour.
At the same time, the fixed part for power for residential and business users would be increased from the current 6.350,58 to 7.494,86 dinars per kilowatt per year.
When calculating according to the heated surface and installed power, a price increase for residential users was proposed by 9,44 percent - from 1.679,35 to 1.837,89 dinars per square meter per year, excluding VAT.
The proposal also includes hot water, the price of which would be increased by ten percent for all consumers.
Electricity users don't have much reason to expect a completely calm season either. According to experts, an agreement on the increase in the price of electricity has already been reached, but the date of the start of implementation and the final percentage have not yet been determined.
The increase could come during October or by the end of the year, and estimates currently range between 3,7 and 4,7 percent.
Thus, the final cost of heating this winter will depend not only on the type of energy used by the household, but also on its consumption, the area it heats, the quality of the firewood, delivery costs and possible changes in energy prices during the heating season itself.
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