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What Happens When the Heating Season Starts
Every autumn, the same claim spreads online that the government has set a specific date for the start of the heating season, and every autumn the ministry has to refute it. There is no single date for the entire country, and understanding how it actually works removes most of the questions that arise in September and October.
Who Makes the Decision
The decision on the start and end of the heating period is made by local self-government bodies, that is, city and village councils, not the government. This means that in neighboring cities, heating may be turned on a week or more apart, and there is no violation in this.
The recommended reference point is a situation when the average daily outdoor air temperature remains below eight degrees Celsius for three consecutive days. Local authorities take into account the climatic conditions in accordance with building regulations, the rules for the technical operation of heating networks, and sanitary standards. It is also worth understanding where the annual confusion with dates comes from. Government resolutions that mention the period from November to March concern the conditions of gas supply and fixed prices for producers of thermal energy, and not the moment when the radiators in your apartment become warm. The ministry directly explained this in response to publications in the media.
In What Order Are Buildings Connected
First, heat is supplied to social infrastructure facilities, that is, kindergartens, schools, and hospitals, and this takes place according to a separate decision of the local authorities even before the general start of the season. Residential buildings are connected next, and this process is gradual, since the system is filled progressively. Because of this, cold radiators on the first day after the announcement of the start of the season are normal, not a violation, and you should wait at least several days.
What Temperature Should You Have at Home
During the heating period, the air temperature in a residential room must be no lower than eighteen degrees, and in corner rooms no lower than twenty. This standard concerns specifically the air temperature in the room, not the temperature of the radiators themselves, and it is this standard that should be relied on for any complaints. The temperature of the radiators, meanwhile, depends on the temperature schedule of the heating network, which is calculated according to the outdoor temperature, so barely warm radiators when the temperature outside is above zero are a normal situation if there are eighteen degrees or more in the room.
Why Radiators Can Be Cold
Before complaining, it is worth checking the causes, some of which can be resolved independently in half an hour. Air in the system is the most common cause, and it manifests itself characteristically when the radiator is hot at the bottom and cold at the top, or when one radiator in the apartment is cold while the rest are warm. This is resolved by releasing the air through a special valve on the radiator, and if you have never done this before, it is better to call a plumber, since water will leave the system. Closed valves occur more often than it seems, especially after repairs or after replacing radiators, when a valve was forgotten and not opened again. An unbalanced system creates a situation where some apartments in the building are warm and others are not, and this is no longer a problem with your apartment, but a question of adjusting the system in the building. Replaced radiators of the wrong type or connected with violations heat worse than the old ones, and this is a common consequence of independent repairs. The building's debt to the heat supplier may be a reason for the disconnection of the entire building, and in this case the issue is resolved through the homeowners' association or management company. An unfinished connection means that your building simply has not reached its turn yet, and here only clarification with the operator can help.
What to Do If the Apartment Is Cold
First, find out whether there is heat in the neighbors' apartments, since this immediately separates the problem of your apartment from the problem of the building. Then contact your homeowners' association, management company, or housing maintenance organization, since they are responsible for the internal building networks.
If the heat has not appeared, the next step is to contact the heat supply organization with a request to measure the temperature and draw up an act. The measurement is carried out in the room, not near the radiator, and its result is documented. It is precisely an act with a recorded temperature below the standard that is the basis for recalculating the payment for the service, so verbal requests without a document do not work here. At the same time, it is worth contacting the government hotline or the local administration if there is no response from the supplier. It is better to submit all requests in writing or through official electronic channels, since this records the date and allows you to refer to them later. The material is informational in nature and is not legal advice, so in the event of a prolonged conflict with the supplier, it is worth contacting a specialist or a free legal aid center.
About Recalculation
If the service was provided with inadequate quality, that is, the temperature in the room was below the standard, the consumer has the right to a reduction in payment. The key condition is documentary confirmation, so without a measurement act it is practically impossible to obtain a recalculation. Because of this, the most important action when the radiators are cold is not a complaint on social media, but a written request demanding that an act be drawn up, and it is worth doing this as early as possible, since the recalculation is calculated from the moment of recording.
What to Do Before the Season Starts
Check whether all the valves on the radiators in the apartment are open. Inspect the radiators for leaks, since when the system is filled, the pressure increases, and weak points make themselves known precisely at that moment. Release the air from the radiators or ask a plumber to do it. Remove furniture and thick curtains that cover the radiators, since they block convection and noticeably reduce heating efficiency. Seal gaps in the windows and doors, because this gives a greater effect than any struggle with the supplier. Save the contacts of the homeowners' association, emergency service, and heat supplier in your phone.
Sources: Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories, Government Contact Center, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, industry materials on heat supply