Arunas Karaliunas. Heat is so cheap in Kaunas that it is not worth even thinking about the renovation of apartment buildings

The management of the Kauno energija company is also happy that this season
the people of Kaunas were among the big cities that paid the least for heating
population. Cheaper heat could only be enjoyed in Šiauliai.

Of course, the energy companies didn’t hurt themselves, they didn’t complain about the profit, but at least
no longer tried desperately to squeeze the last cents out of customers who didn’t have any
freedom of choice.

There were also no tears from the people of Kaunas due to unbearable heating bills
can be seen – either the residents have become significantly richer, or those accounts are real
was not lethal. It is estimated that this season the price of heat in Kaunas
decreased by about 22 percent.

You’d think everyone was happy after this heating season. Just
city ​​of prosperity.

People whose work somehow evaluates the news are a little more restrained
related to the renovation of old apartment buildings, because the Kaunas government is still
does not give up plans to undertake a block renovation and tries the residents
tempt with various benefits.

Specialists of the Kauno energija company estimated that it was not renovated
the owner of a standard apartment of 50 square meters for heating in March
paid an average of 46 euros per month, renovated – only 25 euros.

The difference is 21 euros. If the heating season lasts 7 months,
A person living in an unrenovated apartment pays about 147
euros. For most residents, this is not a large amount of money. Investments
for the renovation, it would significantly empty the budget and contribute even more
a lot of worries.

If the climate is warm, the effect of the renovation is centrally supplied
heat prices would further decrease.

Although the supporters of the renovation point to the many advantages of such a project and
in most cases they are right, cheaper heating simply cannot be
presented as a serious argument. You can joke that cheap heat
energy suppliers are the main killers of the renovation process.

The efforts of the Kaunas authorities to remove him are probably doomed to failure. Although
in exchange for agreeing to undertake the renovation, the city authorities promise to take care of it
environmental management, such measures do not work to the extent that they clearly do
visible effect.

Over the past few years, the cost of renovations has increased significantly, and
residents are in no hurry to undertake such works also because the renovation
does not solve all problems. One such is parking spaces
shortage in yards.

There are about 4,000 apartment buildings of old construction in Kaunas, and only 6 percent of them. their
to renovate. Working at this pace, the renovation could be completed in approx
In the years 2105-2110. Various surveys revealed that only 2-4 percent
residents intend to take up work in the near future.

It is quite easy to explain why renovation is taking place in other countries
much faster. In Germany or the Netherlands, even whole houses
blocks belong to one owner who decides what works
need to be taken.

In Lithuania, every apartment is someone else’s property, and it is necessary to find an agreement
sometimes it is very difficult. When it comes to block renovations,
the task becomes several times more difficult, therefore, in the current legal situation
regulation, it is hardly worth expecting a breakthrough in the field of renovation.

The laws provide for the possibility of not paying compensations for heating and
water to low-income residents if they object
for the renovation of an apartment building.

Although this provision has been in force for more than a decade, municipalities are avoiding it
apply drastic measures. People would be seriously annoyed, oh
the renovation would hardly move through coercion.

Legislators will also take even stricter measures
does not show any desire – such decisions would certainly not increase those in power
party popularity before the upcoming Seimas elections. On the other hand,
the country probably has more serious concerns than the renovation of apartment buildings.

When the sun warms the air up to 20 degrees, there is a desire to forget everyone
household worries and enjoy the rapidly approaching spring.