Heating Methods Around the World

In November, various regions in northern China have gradually entered the “heating season.” With cold snaps sweeping across the country recently, there’s probably nothing more comfortable than curling up in a warm home.

So, how do other countries heat their homes? The most common methods rely on natural gas and electricity. Japan has its uniquely cultural kotatsu; Russia, the “Land of Ice and Snow,” boasts the world’s largest centralized heating system; Meanwhile, the United States, also in the Northern Hemisphere, employs a diverse range of decentralized heating methods primarily based on natural gas and electricity. In China, guided by various policies, the future of the heating industry will adopt decentralized clean heating that combines multiple methods such as electric trace heating, air-source heat pumps, and gas boilers.

Japan: The Cozy Kotatsu

Those who frequently watch Japanese dramas may be familiar with this scene: in winter, a family sits around a table, warming themselves while watching TV or chatting. The Japanese kotatsu, also known as a heated table, is a modern square low table covered with a quilt, with an electric heater built into the table structure beneath the surface. The kotatsu is placed on a thin mat; users sit on the mat and extend their legs, feet, or even their entire body under the table to stay warm. When the weather warms up, the quilt can be removed, and the kotatsu becomes a regular low table. As the economy developed, electric kotatsu using infrared heating became widespread and mainstream.

In terms of penetration rate, Japan’s centralized heating (and cooling) systems account for only 6%, which is relatively low among developed nations. In the Kanto region centered on Tokyo, there were only 83 centralized heating companies as of 2018. Most of these operate combined heat and power (CHP) plants, supplying steam and hot water to many office buildings in the region. Japan’s centralized heating systems are largely confined to buildings such as office complexes, with a relatively low proportion serving residential areas.

In Russia, 81% of households use centralized heating facilities, and approximately 2 million people are employed in the construction, maintenance, and management of these systems. Heating systems consume about 25.5 billion tons of coal annually, accounting for 33% of the country’s total coal consumption; natural gas consumption stands at 190 billion cubic meters, representing 41% of total natural gas consumption.

Around October 1 each year, when temperatures remain below 8 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days, relevant authorities begin activating the heating systems. Kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and medical facilities are the first to receive heating, followed by student dormitories. Over a period of about two weeks, heating is gradually extended to all locations.

United States: Diverse Individual Heating Systems

The United States, with its vast territory and sparse population, has the highest rate of individual heating systems in the world. Aside from public spaces such as schools and hospitals, which use central heating and cooling systems, American households do not have centralized heating. However, for rental properties, federal and local laws require landlords to provide heating on time and at the required temperature to protect tenants’ interests.

The United States utilizes a variety of energy sources for winter heating. Currently, there are approximately 117 million households nationwide. According to Census Bureau statistics, nearly 90% of American households use natural gas or electricity for heating. Of these, nearly 50% use natural gas because it is the most affordable option. Households using electric heating account for about 39%; although electric heating is significantly more expensive than natural gas, it remains one of the more affordable heating methods. The remaining 6% of households use heating oil, 5% use propane, and approximately 2.5 million households rely on wood for heating.

China: The Era of Clean Heating

China’s heating system was previously dominated by coal. In recent years, to improve air quality and enhance energy efficiency, large-scale “coal-to-gas” and “coal-to-electricity” projects have been implemented in northern heating regions under the guidance of the “Blue Sky Defense Campaign.” Since the year before last, these efforts have begun to show results, with many areas experiencing no smoggy days during winter and a corresponding significant reduction in respiratory diseases.

In the future, China’s heating industry will continue to develop new and diversified heating methods and promote decentralized clean heating tailored to local conditions. To meet the growing heating demands of customers and address issues in traditional centralized heating—such as high pollution, low efficiency, and difficulty in responding quickly to emergencies—the industry will adopt decentralized clean heating solutions that combine electric trace heating, air-source heat pumps, gas boilers, and other technologies, in accordance with relevant policy guidelines.

Bailun Intelligent Control

Zhejiang Baiyilun Intelligent Control Systems Co., Ltd. (formerly Wenzhou Baiyilun Hardware Products Co., Ltd.) was established in 2004. As a National High-Tech Enterprise, the company specializes in the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of HVAC valves. Headquartered in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, the company has, after more than 20 years of development, become a leading domestic manufacturer of HVAC temperature control valves. Its products cover all scenarios for radiators, underfloor heating, and building HVAC systems, and are exported to over 30 countries worldwide.