How to save money on paying for heating: Instructions from the head of the DCRNM.

The prices that are set to Kazakhstanis for heating continue to surprise unpleasantly. There is a feeling that we give half of the money that we pay for communal services for heating. Correspondent of zakon.kz appealed for help to the Chairman of the Committee for Regulation of Natural Monopolies of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Asan Darbayev for help and explanations. The head of the department kindly told our readers on the example of the city of Nur-Sultan about the schemes according to which payment for heat is calculated and gave a number of valuable tips to Kazakhstanis how not to overpay for heating.

Asan Darbayev recalled that on the basis of complaints, unscheduled inspections against heat suppliers have begun in different regions, which have already shown violations in the actions of natural monopolies.

To better understand how to save on paying for heating, you need to learn more about the mechanism of calculating the amount of payment for heating services.

The mechanism for calculating the amount of payment for a regulated service for the supply of thermal energy is defined by the Law "On Natural Monopolies" and the Rules for the formation of tariffs.

In accordance with the law "On Natural Monopolies", a natural monopoly entity is obliged to provide a regulated service at an approved tariff.

 

Here the most important aspect is that the tariff for heat supply services is differentiated depending on the presence or absence of a metering device from the consumer. The amount of payment for heat in the presence of the same general household heat metering device is determined based on the monthly reading and the approved tariff. And in the absence of a general household metering device, the amount of payment for heat is determined by calculation based on the consumption rate for heat supply services for consumers who do not have metering devices approved by the local executive body and the approved tariff. At the same time, we want to note that the tariff for heat supply services for consumers who do not have metering devices is higher than for consumers who have metering devices, " Asan Darbayev said.

 

The example of Nur-Sultan

Currently, the equipment of household heat metering devices by the basic subjects of natural monopolies in the capital and cities of republican and regional significance ranges from 27.3% to 100% (for example, in Nur-Sultan (Astana-Teplotransit JSC) – 99%).

Also, in accordance with the Rules for the Use of Thermal energy, commercial metering devices are used for accounting for thermal energy, the types of which are included in the Register of the State system for Ensuring the uniformity of Measurements, which have documents on the primary or periodic verification of measuring instruments. Maintenance, maintenance and verification of commercial heat energy metering devices is carried out according to the balance sheet.

In accordance with the law "On ensuring the uniformity of measurement", measuring instruments used in the field of state metrological control are subject to verification, which is carried out by the state metrological service, as well as metrological services of legal entities accredited for this type of activity 1 every 4-5 years, depending on the type of metering device.

In 2020, according to the data of Astana Teplotransit JSC, it was required to verify 721 household heat energy meters installed in residential buildings in the city of Nur-Sultan, but 267 heat energy meters did not pass verification and, accordingly, the verification period expired.

So, in residential buildings where the verification period of metering devices has expired (267), currently payment is made according to the approved consumption rate (approved by local executive bodies), which is higher compared to the payment that was made based on the monthly readings of general household metering devices.

I would also like to inform you that in 2021 it is necessary to verify another 1404 heat energy metering devices installed in residential buildings in the city of Nur-Sultan.

The list of residential buildings in the city of Nur-Sultan, in which the terms of verification of heat energy meters have expired in 2020 and the list of residential buildings in the city of Nur-Sultan, in which it is necessary to verify heat energy meters in 2021, can be found on the website of Astana Teplotransit JSC.

In accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on housing relations, associations of property owners (OSI) or a trustee of a simple partnership, or a manager of an apartment building or a management company (KSK) ensures timely verification of general household heat metering devices.

For example, the calculation of payment for heating in the city of Nur-Sultan for 1-room is made. an apartment with an area of 35.4 sq. m. in the presence and absence of general household heat metering devices (ODPU) in the heating season 2019-2020 and in the period from October 2020 to January 2021.

During the heating season of 2019-2020, the consumer of a 1-room apartment with a metering device paid less by 2 433, 84 tenge compared to the consumer who does not have a thermal energy metering device. And in the period from October 2020 to January 2021, the savings amounted to 3 114, 99 tenge.

How to save money?

 

The presence of a general-house heat energy metering device is good and effective, first of all, for the consumer himself, since it allows you to save on heat supply services. But we urge consumers, together with KSK or OSI, to carry out the verification of metering devices in a timely manner, in order to save their own funds. In addition, I would like to inform you that out of 2711 residential buildings in the city of Nur-Sultan, 1309 have automated heating units installed, which allow you to automatically adjust the amount of heat consumed depending on the actual outdoor temperature (this is 48% of all residential buildings in the capital). And in the remaining 1378 (52%) residential buildings, local adjustment of the shut-off valves (manually) is carried out by the responsible person (the service organization of intra-house communications, KSK, AXIS, etc.) of the residential building, - Darbayev said

 

In order to save the consumption of thermal energy for these 1378 residential buildings, as necessary, the DCRNM recommends that the responsible person of the residential building regulate the consumption of thermal energy depending on the actual outdoor temperature and in accordance with the temperature schedule, namely, in case of an increase in (+) temperature, reduce the consumption of thermal energy, and in case of a decrease (-) increase the consumption of thermal energy.

 

Adjusting the consumption of thermal energy during warming, depending on the outdoor air temperature, allows you to prevent the overflow of a residential building and save consumers ' money on paying for heat supply services. Here it is important for consumers and discussing organizations to understand one thing - " Do not over-heat, it means not to overpay!". Taking into account all the above, we call on monopolistic entities providing regulated services, as well as service organizations (KSK, OSI, CC, etc.) to conduct an active dialogue with the population on the rational use of thermal energy, on charging for heat, and the impact of the presence of metering devices on the cost of services provided, " the head of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan advised.

 

Asan Darbayev said that information on the availability of household heat energy meters in residential buildings, timely verification of heat energy meters, and proper regulation of heat energy consumption in accordance with the temperature schedule for other regions will be published in the near future.

Prepared by Albert Akhmetov

Source: https://www.zakon.kz/5059700-kak-sekonomit-na-oplate-za-otoplenie.html