Guide to Heating, Electricity, Water, and Gas Policies and Procedures

Guide to Heating, Electricity, Water, and Gas - Policies and Procedures

This feature introduces and describes procedures for utility use in Beijing. It includes information on making payments and payment receiving institutions, and fees for utility use categorized by customer and use type. If you are moving into a new home, you can find procedures on how to apply for a permit for installation of a new utility, how to go about repairing a utility installation, and guidance on utility inspection.

Introduction and General Information	Price Guide
Beginning Service	Making Payments

Is heating fee charged on the basis of construction area or usable floor area?
Heating fee is charged normally on the basis of construction area. If calculated in accordance with usable floor area, the heating price per unit of construction area shall be divided by 0.75. (Jing Jia (Shang) [2001] No.372 Document)

How is the heating service standard (not less than 16℃) determined?
In accordance with the requirements of current Design Standard for Energy-Efficient Civil Buildings (JBJ26-86) and Code for Design of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (GBJ19-87), the indoor temperature of common residential buildings shall be between 16℃ and 20℃. Specifically, the temperature in bedroom and living room shall be between 16℃ and 20℃, and that in toilet, lobby, and corridor shall be between 14℃ and 16℃. Therefore, the heating service standard is determined as no less than 16℃.

How is the heating period (from November 15th to March 15th) determined?
According to the requirements of existing Code for Thermal Design of Civil Buildings (GB50176-93), the heating period in cities and towns in northern China is calculated on the basis of daily average outdoor temperature (less than or equal to 5℃). That is, heat supply starts when the daily average outdoor temperature is less than or equal to 5℃, and stops when temperature is higher than 5℃.

Therefore, in Beijing Residential Boiler Heating Management Regulations, the No. 15 mandate issued by Beijing Municipal Government in 1994, it's stipulated that Beijing's winter heating period is from November 15th every year to March 15th next year, and the heating costs and prices shall be calculated in accordance with this time period.

Along with the improvement of people's living standard, and to better meet their requirements for high-quality life, Beijing has become more and more people-oriented and concerned about energy conservation in actual heating management in recent years. Every year, one month before heating time begins or ends, relevant heating suppliers will start contacting with the weather observatory so as to watch weather closely, and begin heating in advance or extend the period if weather worsens suddenly. Normally, Beijing starts trial heating from November 7 (1 week before formal heating), and extends the heating time to March 22nd, or maybe longer after the heating period ends based on the weather reports provided by meteorological departments.

Heating Hotlines:
Beijing Heating Service Hotline: 86 10 62357575
Heating Service Hotline of Beijing District Heating Group: 86 10 65339933