Heating fails in frost; Murmansk residents get refunds?
Problems with heating during frosts are a familiar situation for residents of the Murmansk Oblast. The Ministry of Energy and Housing and Utilities of Murmansk Oblast explained the causes of such failures, what measures are being taken to prevent a repeat of the New Year collapse, and where to call if it is cold in the apartment now.
Interruptions in Pechengsky District
The main reason for the decrease in coolant parameters in Pechengsky District was equipment malfunction, as reported by the Ministry of Energy. Repairs and adjustments were complicated by extremely low temperatures. On some days, thermometers dropped below −35 °C (−31 °F). That is, the holidays were marred for northerners. Will this happen again?
«Now the necessary equipment repairs have been completed. In the summer, work on the boiler house and networks will continue,» the ministry told 51.RU.
Accident in Severomorsk
In Severomorsk, an accident occurred on the key heat main that supplies the Verkhnyaya Vaenga microdistrict. As the head of the city administration, Vladimir Yevmenkov, explained, repair work could not be carried out without shutting down central heating and hot water — the repair required full access to the damaged line.
«Interruptions in heating supply were related to damage to networks, including by unidentified persons. All breaks have been repaired. In 2026, JSC MES (Murmansk Energy Systems) has scheduled the renewal of 9.22 kilometers of central heating and hot water supply networks, including three sections where technological failures occurred,» explained the Ministry of Energy.
What measures have been taken
Every year, the government of Murmansk Oblast allocates money to prepare the region for winter — this year the amount was about 90 million rubles (about $1,000,000 at current rates).
«The renewal of communal infrastructure is carried out within the framework of federal programs and the own investment programs of resource supply organizations,» added ministry specialists.
Where to turn to if radiators are cold?
Technological issues inevitably arise during the operation of communal infrastructure, especially in winter. All incidents are under control and are resolved within the established time frames.
«In Murmansk Oblast, an important operational response tool is functioning — the Unified Regional Housing and Utilities Hotline. You can call 0051 or 8 800 444-00-51 around the clock. Calls are received by operators, and if all lines are busy, by a voice assistant. After processing, the request is instantly sent to the contractor, who must resolve the problem within the time limits set by law,» the Ministry of Energy said.
The operator calls the applicant back to personally confirm the quality of the work. Only after that is the request removed from control.
Will there be a recalculation?
According to JSC Murmanenergosbyt, in the January bill, consumers in Safonovo and Severomorsk will receive a recalculation by reducing the payment for the service by up to 6%.
Also, a recalculation will be made for northerners from Pechengsky District: residents of 8 houses in Sputnik and 7 houses in Pechenga on Stadionnaya Street.
«For citizens living in Sputnik and on Stadionnaya Street (Pechenga), LLC PromVoenStroy made a recalculation of heating fees for apartment buildings in November 2025 — in the amount of 635,400 rubles (about $7,100 at current rates), of which: Sputnik — 220,100 rubles (about $2,400), which averaged 10.1% of the fee for the service; Stadionnaya Street — 415,200 rubles (about $4,600), which amounted to 23.5% of the fee for the service. In January, a recalculation is also planned; the exact amount will be known after the end of the billing period.
