District or block heating in the Netherlands, explained
If your home has no gas boiler, you may be on district or block heating. Here is what that means for your bill and your choices.
With district heating (stadsverwarming) or block heating (blokverwarming), heat comes from a central source through a network rather than your own gas boiler. You usually cannot choose or switch the heat supplier, because there is only one network to your building. To protect people who cannot switch, the heat tariff is regulated, with a maximum set each year by the regulator (ACM). You can still compare and switch your electricity supplier, and gas if you have any, so that is where comparing still applies.
What district and block heating are
District heating (stadsverwarming) delivers heat from a central source, such as a power plant or industrial waste heat, through a network of pipes to many homes. Block heating (blokverwarming) is similar but smaller: one central installation heats a single building or block. In both cases you have no personal gas boiler, and you pay for heat rather than for gas.
This is common in apartments, newer developments and social housing. If you never see a gas bill and have radiators fed from a shared system, you are probably on one of these.
Why you usually cannot switch
There is only one physical heat network to your building, so there is only one heat supplier, and no free market for the heat itself. This is the big difference with electricity and gas, where many suppliers compete for you and switching is easy. For heat, switching simply is not an option in most cases.
How the price is set, and what you can still do
Because you cannot switch, the heat tariff is regulated: the Dutch regulator (ACM) sets a maximum price each year, so a heat supplier cannot charge whatever it likes. It is still worth reading your heat statement to understand the fixed and usage parts.
What you can still choose is your electricity supplier, and gas if your home uses any. That is a real, free market, so comparing there still lowers your bill. See what the cheapest electricity supplier is for your usage, and read our bill explained to make sense of the terms.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch my district heating supplier?
Usually no. There is one network to your building, so one heat supplier and no free market for the heat. You can still switch your electricity supplier, and gas if you have any.
Is district heating more expensive?
It can be, and because you cannot switch, the price is protected by a maximum tariff that the regulator (ACM) sets each year. Read your heat statement to see the fixed and usage parts.
What is the difference between stadsverwarming and blokverwarming?
Stadsverwarming is a city-wide heat network serving many homes. Blokverwarming is one central installation heating a single building or block. Both replace your own gas boiler, so you pay for heat instead of gas.
Can I still compare energy if I have district heating?
Yes, for your electricity, and gas if you use any. Only the heat itself cannot be switched, so compare the electricity part, where a free market and real savings exist.