If you have traveled to Russia in the summer or know someone who has lived in Russia for an extended period, you are probably familiar with how cities will temporarily shut down hot water service for one- or two-week residences during the summer months. For those who take the ability to shower or bathe in hot water for granted, this practice can seem brutal – especially, if the water turns off shortly after the spring thaw, the water coming out of the taps is very cold. So why is this happening and how does it affect travelers?
Why is the hot water service closed in Russia
In Russian cities, heat and hot water are provided centrally instead of individual water heaters or furnace units. During the winter months in Russia, hot water is pumped into homes to keep them warm. In hot climates, this service is no longer necessary. After the heating service is canceled during the summer months, annual maintenance is performed, during which the hot water will be shut off for a couple of weeks. Sectors of the city will see hot water shut off at different times so that one section of the city sees hot water service resume before another sees it stop.
Residents and any affected businesses generally know when hot water will be shut off in advance.
How does the closure of the hot water service affect travelers to Russia?
Travelers staying in hotels
Ideally, the closure of hot water service will not affect travelers staying in Russian hotels. Most hotels in large Russian cities have their own water heaters to provide hot water to guests throughout the year and do not depend on the hot water service provided to private residences. If you are concerned about not having hot water during your stay in a Russian hotel, please contact the hotel before booking your stay to ask about this.
Travelers who are
They stay in private residences Travelers staying with friends may or may not have to deal with the annual hot water shutdown. In wealthy or major metropolitan areas, apartments may be equipped with water heaters, or apartment owners may have purchased heaters for themselves. In case the apartment you are staying in does not have a hot water heater, you do not have to bathe with only cold water.
