Troubleshooting Beijing's Central Heating System

Original Zeus Zou theBeijinger

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It feels like the capital has jumped forward in time this past week. With drastic temperature drops and snow fall spotted on the tips of mountains in the rural areas, it looks like Beijing has skipped past autumn and gone right into winter. Plus, based on the average temperature and overall gloomy weather the city has experienced this year, it looks like this winter is gearing up to be harsher than the last.

When you're shivering in the south, I'm enjoying a popsicle in the north.

Luckily, here up in the north, many of our homes are equipped with central heating (暖气Nuǎnqì), so that should prevent one from turning into a human popsicle after a shower, right?

Unfortunately, the system itself can't be found throughout the entire city, especially in older hutong houses, and malfunctions can occur if the heating system in a building isn't properly maintained. So here are some ins and outs of navigating central heating use in Beijing.

When will the central heating be turned on this year?

Central heating is mandatory in the red regions on this map

Central heating is usually turned on around Nov 15 every year. However, this can change each year based on temperature and weather changes. The government still hasn't announced the official heating schedule for the 2021-2022 season, and even though it's gotten cold rather quickly this year, it's unlikely that heating will be turned on in October. That being said, if a call for earlier heating is made by the Beijing District Heating Group and passes government approval later this month, our rooms will get warmer a few days earlier than usual.

If it hasn’t started yet, why are there noises coming from my heater?

There's no need to worry about an animal stuck in there or a ghost haunting your heater. It's more likely the system is undergoing testing. However, if the sounds get too loud or you spot some leakage from your heater, call your property management right away for help.

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The heat is on and running, but how do I turn it up?

The heating threshold is to ensure the temperature in your bedroom stays above at least 18 degrees Celsius throughout the winter. If it fails to do so, call 96069. This 24-hour hotline run by the Beijing District Heating Group can help you sort out all kinds of heating issues. But 18 C is still pretty damn cold if you're sitting around in your room, though, so if it's too cold you can try to negotiate with them to crank up the heat a little more.

How much do I need to pay for heating services?

It depends on the space of your rooms and the purpose of the property. For residential buildings in Beijing, it will be RMB 30 per square meter, while non-residential buildings need to fork out RMB 43 per square meter. However, chances are that you don’t need to pay this fee directly by yourself since your landlord or property management usually will handle that and add it to your rent or utility fees. If you do need to pay by yourself though, remember to complete your payment before the last day of the year, otherwise you may need to pay extra fees.

What are some reasons my heater could stop working?

There are a myriad of reasons your heater could stop working, but the two most common are clogging or a valve that isn't turned on. The central heating system requires all users to turn on a valve to keep the liquid inside flowing and circulating, so if a valve is turned off, it might cause heating throughout the entire building to turn off.

Everything seems to be running smoothly, but I still feel cold. Why is this?

If your heater is working fine and you called the 96069 hotline for help, but you still feel cold, the design of your room, or that of the entire building, could be to blame. If your apartment was built before Oct 1, 2001, then it may not have been equipped with a thermal insulation layer, which is used to prevent heat from dissipating. Second, a double-layered window can also help in maintaining an indoor temperature. Also, if the heaters in your apartment are installed under or near windows, it's best to ensure the heat won't escape before your room gets warm. Finally, though they may not be the prettiest things in the world, try not to cover up your heaters with anything. Covering them up with a blanket or other decorative element might hamper its ability to work properly, or at all.

Follow these tips, and you'll be sure to have a warm, cozy, toasty and all around popsicle-after-the-shower free winter in Beijing.