Comments on: China’s coldest winter in decades has killed 180,000 cattle

By: PD

PD — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 02:04:32 +0000

Traditionally, property south of the Yangtze had to do without central heating; houses north of it had the complete works — which meant that it was better to live north of the river in places like Wuhan or Chungking.

The whole paradox is that the same people who spend megabucks on aircon often refuse to heat at all.

Clearly central heating is not very useful in eg Guanggdong, but a few buildings in HK or Macau have open fires, a pure delight, even if a foreign-inspired one.

By: James

James — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:55:30 +0000

I own property, yes, I can install central heating, but it’s a complete and utter waste of money. Just because it’s a standard off whereever you’re from doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

By: Liuzhou Laowai

Liuzhou Laowai — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:03:26 +0000

“because, for reasons odd and infuriating, there is no central heating”

The reasons may be infuriating, but I don’t think they are at all odd.

People just don’t want to spend money on central heating which may only be used for about 4-8 weeks a year.

As your article points out, this weather is very unusual. So, we just stick on more clothes.

That said a rapidly growing number of southern city dwellers now have air-con which provides heating, but also contributes to power shortages.