January often arrives quietly, yet it leaves traces in places not always visible. It settles into walls, seeps beneath doors, and lingers long enough to be felt not only in the air, but later — in the envelope that waits at the end of the month.

This winter, colder conditions have led to an increase in heat energy consumption, and with it, higher heating bills for many households. Energy providers report that prolonged low temperatures required heating systems to operate longer and more intensively than in milder periods.

The rise does not stem from price changes alone, but from usage itself. When nights extend and frost persists, buildings demand more warmth simply to maintain basic comfort. Even well-insulated homes feel the effect when cold stretches across consecutive weeks.

Utility specialists explain that heating consumption is closely tied to outdoor temperature. Each degree below seasonal norms can significantly raise demand, particularly in older buildings where heat loss remains higher.

Residents may notice the increase reflected in monthly statements, especially in properties connected to district heating networks. Authorities and service providers emphasize that such fluctuations are typical during colder months and tend to ease as temperatures rise.

At the same time, consumers are encouraged to review heating habits — maintaining stable indoor temperatures, avoiding overheating rooms, and ensuring radiators are not blocked. Small adjustments, repeated daily, can help soften the impact.

Energy regulators continue to monitor billing practices to ensure transparency, while municipalities remind residents that support mechanisms remain available for households facing financial difficulty.

January, after all, is not only a test of warmth but of endurance. And while the cold eventually loosens its grip, its presence is often felt last — quietly, in the numbers printed at the bottom of the page.

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Sources Latvenergo Group / Energo companies communications Public Utilities Commission of Latvia (SPRK) LETA News Agency LSM – Latvijas Sabiedriskie Mediji Municipal heat supply providers