Heating season begins in Latvia: bills to rise 10–15%, but not all radiators are warm yet

The heating season has begun in Latvia, but not every radiator is warm yet. Some residents are still waiting for their heating to be connected, while bills this season will be on average 10–15% higher for nearly everyone, and in some places as much as 25%. More than 60 companies provide heating across the country, according to 360TV News.

Complaints every year

At the start of the heating season, resident complaints to building managers are routine: some find it too hot, others too cold. Armīns Kleinbergs, chairman of the board of the Ventspils company “Ventspils nekustamie īpašumi”, admits this repeats every year. In his view, people feel warmth differently, and the company tries to find a middle ground, but there will always be someone dissatisfied.

Residents can decide when heating starts

Residents of a building can agree among themselves when to switch the heating on. Juna Konstantinova, a board member at the Rēzekne property manager SIA “Rēzeknes Namsaimnieks”, describes a case in which residents of one building demanded earlier heating, the company connected it, and the building's elder then asked for it to be switched off. In Rēzekne, the first building was connected as early as 14 September.

Konstantinova also says it is a misconception that connecting heating earlier costs more. According to her, warming buildings that have cooled down during cold nights requires more heat later, so it is more economical to connect heating while the weather is still mild.

Cheaper heating in Ikšķile

In most buildings, radiators have been warm since early October, including in Ikšķile. Dace Kizino, head of the heating and residential building management service at SIA “Ikšķiles Māja”, says earlier heating helps preserve the housing stock and prevents mould. Heating in Ikšķile will be cheaper this season because the company signed a one-year gas contract at a fixed price, which is unaffected by tariff changes.

Riga to finish connection tomorrow

In Riga, connection of heating began yesterday and is due to be completed tomorrow. Over the next two weeks, system stabilisation work will follow. Inita Kabanova, head of public relations and marketing at AS “Rīgas namu pārvaldnieks”, urges residents to report non-heating radiators early rather than wait for freezing weather. If radiators are not warm enough, residents should contact their building manager; Riga residents can also do so through the mobile app “RNP”.