In a discussion about utility practices, Petr Gusyatnikov, a senior managing partner at PG Partners, noted that turning off heating and hot water breaches regulations and may trigger a recalculation of charges. Residents in areas where utilities were shut down due to frost can request an automatic recharge adjustment or liaise directly with their management company to pursue relief.
The basis for recalculation typically hinges on the indoor temperature dropping below a comfortable threshold, commonly cited as 18 to 20 degrees Celsius, or on the cessation of services beyond the agreed period. To initiate a recalculation, a representative from the management company must be invited to inspect the situation and prepare a formal act. If a resident’s apartment is equipped with a personal metering device, recalculation may not be possible, since charges would reflect actual consumption instead of a standardized rate.
There was a time when heating restoration efforts in the Northeastern Administrative District encountered a renewal after a fire at a substation disrupted supply to multiple homes.
Additionally, weather forecasters have warned that the frequency of severe natural events could rise in coming years, underscoring the importance of reliable heating and climate-resilient infrastructure in both Russia and other regions with similar climate risks.