Neighbors pay for heat differently: the amounts in payments can vary significantly

While heating and hot water tariffs in Ukraine have remained stable since the beginning of the war, the amount of payments in receipts can fluctuate significantly from month to month. This gap applies not only to different houses, but even to apartments of the same area within the same entrance.

Experts from Kyivteploenergo explained why neighbors with the same living area can receive completely different heating bills.

The cost of payments is not determined solely by tariffs; other essential factors also influence it. Among them:

Ambient air temperature – in the cold season, the building consumes more heat.
The readings from the general heat meter reflect the actual energy consumption.
the state of the building’s energy efficiency and the ability to regulate heat supply;
The presence of general house and apartment meters.
The heat consumed is distributed among apartments based on their area, taking into account the share of common areas, particularly corridors and entrances.

If the house is equipped with a standard meter, and some apartments have individual meters, then the owners of such flats pay for their own meter readings and partly for the use of common premises. For other apartments, the amount is calculated in proportion to the area. From the volume recorded by the standard meter, the use of individual meters is subtracted together with the share for common premises, and the remainder is divided between apartments without their own meters.

It is important to note that it will not be possible to avoid the costs of centralized heating altogether. Even the smallest amount of heat will be included in the calculations, since the heating of the premises is partially carried out through common walls.

In the absence of a heat meter, the calculation is based on the design heat load, the actual duration of the coolant supply, and the average monthly outdoor temperature.

Recommendations were previously made regarding non-payment of utility services: how to avoid disconnections and reduce debt. It was also reported about the introduction of new money into circulation in Ukraine and changes in electricity tariffs, which could significantly affect citizens’ budgets.