energy costs
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energy costs
The financial expenses for the consumption of energy, especially for electricity, gas, oil, or district heating. Used almost exclusively in the plural.
Durch die neue Heizung konnten wir unsere Energiekosten deutlich senken.
Thanks to the new heating system, we were able to significantly lower our energy costs.
The word is made up of 'die Energie' (energy) and 'die Kosten' (costs, plural). The '-n-' in the middle is a linking element that connects the two words.
Die Kosten für Energie sind in den letzten Monaten gestiegen.
The costs for energy have risen in recent months.
Even if you mean a single bill, 'Energiekosten' (energy costs) is almost always used in the plural. The singular 'die Energiekoste' is unusual.
Wie hoch sind eure monatlichen Energiekosten?
How high are your monthly energy costs?
Common verbs used with energy costs are 'senken' (to lower), 'sparen' (to save), 'reduzieren' (to reduce), or 'bezahlen' (to pay). Adjectives are often 'hoch' (high), 'niedrig' (low), or 'steigend' (rising).
Mit Solarenergie auf dem Dach wollen wir Energiekosten sparen.
With solar energy on the roof, we want to save on energy costs.
operating costs / service charges
'die Betriebskosten' and 'die Energiekosten' both refer to costs that can arise regularly. But 'Betriebskosten' is the broader term. For an apartment, this includes things like water, garbage collection, cleaning, or heating. In a company, the word refers to all ongoing costs of running the business. 'Energiekosten' refers only to expenses for energy, for example electricity, gas, oil, or district heating. The words can be confused because energy costs are often part of operating costs. If you are talking only about electricity, gas, or heat, 'Energiekosten' is more precise.
Wir schalten abends das Licht aus, damit die Energiekosten nicht weiter steigen.
We turn off the lights in the evening so that energy costs do not rise any further.
Die Betriebskosten für unsere Wohnung sind im letzten Jahr gestiegen.
The service charges for our apartment went up last year.