Tashkent hokimiyat promised "not to delay" the start of heating supply when the weather gets cold

Tashkent Khokimiyat promised not to "delay" turning on the heating supply if the weather turns cold

The Tashkent City Khokimiyat commented on a question frequently asked by residents recently regarding when the centralized heating system will be launched.

The Khokimiyat stated that it understands citizens' concerns: "As the weather cools down, apartments become chilly, which is why many are waiting for the start of the heating season. We see your appeals and understand how important it is to have a warm and comfortable environment at home."

The Khokimiyat recalled that according to the established procedure, the criterion for starting the season is the average daily temperature remaining below +8 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days.

Nevertheless, as in previous years, authorities will "take current weather into account and will not delay making a decision if cold days demand it."

Currently, work is underway together with city services and Veolia Energy Tashkent to prepare systems for the heating season.

Last year, the Khokimiyat did not wait for the temperature to drop below +8 degrees and launched the heating system in social sector facilities on November 3, and in residential buildings on November 5.

Earlier, the issue of repealing this current rule in Uzbekistan had been raised several times.

In it, Gazeta columnist Erkin Abdulahatov noted that this rule is a remnant of the Soviet era.

Clause 13 of Resolution No. 194 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan dated July 15, 2014, "On approval of the rules for the provision of communal services," was cited. It states, in particular:

"When supplying heat energy for space heating needs, the Supplier begins and ends the heating period within the timeframe established by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the khokimiyats of regions, and the city of Tashkent. The heating period must begin on the day following the end of a 5-day period during which the average daily outdoor temperature is below 8⁰C, and end when it rises above 8⁰C."

Simply put, if the air temperature remains below an average of 8 degrees Celsius above zero for 5 consecutive days, the heating period should begin. This is a rule left over from the Soviet era; in particular, clause 32 of the rules approved by Resolution No. 497 of the government of the UzSSR dated September 30, 1985, contains the exact same text as the Rules approved by the 2014 resolution of independent Uzbekistan.

"In fact, this rule was developed in the 60s and 70s of the last century, when seasons succeeded one another with a certain regularity, and the air temperature did not fluctuate like a 'carousel' as it does today," the climatologist wrote.