SHANGHAI: China has just experienced its coldest December in recent memory, igniting debate on whether cities in the south should provide public heating.
While many are yearning for warm homes in winter, others question whether adopting central heating will make Shanghai a more livable city or a less environment-friendly one.
A geographical line drawn 60 years ago decides who enjoys a warm home in winter.
North to the line, where the temperature is below five degree Celsius for at least a quarter of the year, buildings are installed with centralized heating systems.
It is run by the government and is turned on round the clock during the cold winter months.
However, people living in areas south to this line have to find their own ways of keeping warm.
Winters in southern China are usually less cold and lengthy compared to the North.
However, Shanghai experienced its worst chill this year since 2005.
Average temperatures in the second half of December were about two degrees lower than usual.
Many Shanghai households have kept their air conditioners with heating functions and portable heaters on since then.
"It is damp, cold and quite miserable. I prefer central heating as it is quite worry free. As soon as it is switched on, the rooms will be warm. Central heating is more comfortable than air conditioner or heater. Air conditioner makes the room very dry, and you can't open window while having the air conditioner on," said Shanghai resident Gigi Yu.
Yu is among the many Shanghainese who would love to have central heating at home.
People discussing the matter online say, as the climate changes and living standards rise, the government should make changes to old rules.
Some political consultative party members said they intend to call for central heating in the upcoming meetings of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress and Political Consultative Conference.
Engineering experts, however, said central heating is not practical for Shanghai.
Assistant Professor Yao Ye from the Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, explained: "Cities in the south do not have the pipe network for a centralized heating system, which means major construction work to the city infrastructure. This will be a huge work.
"Looking at buildings themselves, buildings in the south are designed to allow air to flow more freely as the main concern is cooling in summer. If we are going to adopt central heating in the south, we have to make fundamental changes to the buildings."
Environmental protectionists also worry building more heating plants will lead to excessive energy consumption, and worsen the pollution as the plants burn coal.
Shanghai Energy Research Institute's vice president Zhao Guotong said: "Shanghai has experienced coal scare in the past when the supply could only last the city for five days. If the demand for coal increases, it will add extra burden to the supply. Besides, more burning of coal will lead to a higher reading of PM2.5. Won't it worsen the already bad pollution?
Green engineering experts suggest residents look for alternatives to keeping their homes warm - such as double glazed glass windows.
- CNA/fa
Southern China battles big freeze
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Southern China battles big freeze
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