“Sofia Residents to Face 30-36% Increase in Hot Water Bills for April”

A financial blow for almost every Sofia resident comes with the new hot water bills. Households with heating in the capital will receive a 30-36 percent higher bill for heating and hot water for April. The reason is that the last month with heating this year was not only colder, but also longer than last year, when the heating shutdown began on April 26, and this year on May 1. Separately, thermal energy is 40% more expensive.

The average monthly temperature for April 2023 is 8.9 degrees. This was reported by the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, quoted by “Telegraph”.

It was 10.5 degrees for April 2022. This means that this year April was 1.6 degrees colder. According to the heat engineering law, for each degree of reduction in the outside temperature, it is necessary to provide 10% more energy for heating.

Last April, 1 MWh of thermal energy cost BGN 98.48, and this year – BGN 137.86, which is nearly 40% more. Due to the reduction of VAT from 20% to 9%, which is still in force, there is some compensation. But the jump in April’s bill will be about 35 percent higher than last year.

Thus, a household that a year ago paid BGN 98 for heating and hot water for a two-room apartment may receive a bill of BGN 132 this April. If an additional 5 days are added due to the later shutdown of the heating system, even if the specific household has turned the thermostatic valve of the radiators to zero, the invoice can reach 140 BGN, because the heat carrier will continue to circulate in the building installation, explained the technician.

“Toplofikatsia-Sofia” must upload the April bills to the cash registers and to the company’s website by mid-May. Users who paid by May 30 will receive a 3% discount on the invoice. However, people who default on May 31 will now pay the full amount.