Families in four blocks in Chisinau will pay up to 30% less for heating after changing the distribution system with a more energy efficient one. The newly installed system enables the transfer of heating from the city’s centralized system to the building with minimal energy loss. This was announced by Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov.

The heating agent will be heated centrally and distributed evenly in all apartments, allowing for individual adjustment and metering in each apartment. In addition, the system will provide hot water as well.

The over 1-million-euro project was financed by the European Union through a broader program, called “Addressing the impact of the energy crisis”, implemented by UNDP Moldova. The blocks were selected through an open tender process, and the beneficiaries contributed 20%.

One of the beneficiary blocks is located on Bulgara Street in Chisinau. “Three years ago, when I took over the management of the block, I didn’t even dream that there could be EU funding for such works. The process was much easier than we thought and included working inside the apartments, installing pipes and radiators. Even some of the tenants who used to heat themselves with autonomous gas systems switched back to the centralized system. Now, all the residents have domestic hot water at the tap, which was missing for 30 years”, says the block administrator Ludmila Rotaru.

The Ministry of Energy is preparing a massive investment program in the thermal rehabilitation of buildings, which will reduce losses and energy bills for the population.