Core Viewpoint - The transition to natural gas heating in rural Hebei has led to increased costs for residents, particularly the elderly, as subsidies have decreased, making heating unaffordable for many [5][25][31]. Group 1: Economic Impact on Residents - Many elderly residents in rural Hebei are unable to afford natural gas heating due to rising costs, with some reporting heating expenses exceeding their annual income from farming [3][7]. - The average cost of natural gas has risen to 3.18 yuan per cubic meter, leading to heating bills of 5,000 to 6,000 yuan per season, which is significantly higher than their income from farming [3][5]. - The reduction of subsidies has resulted in many households opting not to use heating, with some resorting to burning wood or coal despite regulations against it [11][15][25]. Group 2: Policy and Subsidy Changes - The shift to natural gas heating began in 2017 as part of a broader initiative to reduce air pollution, with significant government investment in infrastructure and subsidies [5][25]. - Subsidies for natural gas heating have been gradually decreasing, with reports indicating that many residents are now paying full price for gas, leading to a rise in unregulated coal use [25][26]. - The government has implemented a phased reduction in subsidies, with some areas extending support for up to nine years, while others have seen immediate cuts [27][29]. Group 3: Alternative Heating Solutions - Experts suggest transitioning from natural gas to more energy-efficient heating solutions such as heat pumps, which could lower heating costs significantly [7][31]. - The installation of heat pumps is initially costly but offers long-term savings on heating bills, with some residents already beginning to adopt this technology [22][31][36]. - There is a growing emphasis on improving the insulation of rural homes to enhance energy efficiency, which could reduce heating costs by up to 100% in some cases [31][36].

"自从换了电采暖，冬天屋里既暖和又干净，最重要的是安全，有你们保驾护航，我们 可放心了。"9月22日，家住内蒙古兴安盟阿尔山市明水河镇西口村的张铁民对前来检查电采 暖设备的国网阿尔山市供电公司五岔沟中心供电营业所工作人员周航、李真夸赞道。 国网蒙东电力多措并举保障采暖期电力供应安全稳定，针对城镇及农村等区域电采暖负 荷特点，分时分区开展差异化运维，执行"一线一策、一台一策"，重点对电采暖安装数量较 多、纯电采暖占比较高等自然村、乡镇实施分类标注，适度提升保供等级。充分考虑当前电 网承载能力以及保供压力，结合当地电采暖接入现状，促请地方政府因地制宜出台本地有序 接入电采暖用电指导意见或实施方案，分阶段、分步骤有序建设。此外，为最大限度降低天 气、环境等自然因素对电力设备的影响，国网蒙东电力制定灾害天气应急预案，修订完善冰 区风区覆冰图，优化校核防灾技术标准，政企联合建立灾害前树障紧急清理机制，集中消除 导线驰度过紧等隐患，确保涉暖配电设施安全运行。 截至目前，蒙东地区有电采暖客户18.67万户，报装容量达453万千瓦，取暖面积达3500 万平方米，2024-2025年采暖用电量超过17亿千瓦时。目前，国网蒙东电 ...