Heating Challenges Faced by Ukrainians in the UK
Alona Kolodribska, a Ukrainian woman living in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine program, has shared her struggles with the cold temperatures inside her residence. She reports that the indoor temperature rarely rises above 12–16 degrees Celsius, with heating only switched on for two hours each morning and evening. This has sparked a lively debate among Ukrainians, who contrast their home country’s constant warmth and centralized heating with the UK’s more energy-conscious approach.
Despite paying £650 in rent, Alona says she’s also charged an additional £250 for heating costs. She explained,
“I already pay an extra £250 on top of the £650 rent as per our agreement. But now she’s asking for even more. This is why I’m considering taking the matter to the authorities.”Back in Ukraine, Alona was accustomed to underfloor heating, solar panels, and continuous heating year-round. Reflecting on her current living conditions, she added,
“In Ukraine, I had warm floors, solar panels, and constant heating. Here, it’s colder inside the house than outside.”
Understanding UK Heating Practices: A Cultural Contrast
The conversation about UK heating customs continues to unfold on social media among Ukrainians. User welcome.nails expressed shock:
“I’m stunned by this thread! In Kyiv, such cold indoors only happened during winter blackouts, but knowingly living at 12–16 degrees? That’s European madness.”Others living in Scotland and Ireland confirm similar patterns, with heating limited to a few hours daily. One user, irynayuryivna, noted, “I’ve lived in Scotland for 20 years. We only heat in the mornings. I’ve gotten used to it.”
User g.kozhedubova explained, “Heating for two hours in the morning and evening is normal here, sometimes even excessive. Many either haven’t turned on heating yet or only use it for one hour each morning and evening. I always feel cold too—I’m in Ireland now.” Many commenters point out the absence of centralized heating systems common in Ukraine. Gentletroll1996 remarked, “This is how Brits live. They don’t have the Soviet-style or Ukrainian-style central heating that heats so much you open windows.”
Solutions have also been suggested within the discussion. Anna.zeppelin recommends investing in an electric blanket to maintain warmth efficiently: “No matter how you handle this, I highly suggest an electric blanket. It keeps you warm and dry without hiking your bills.” Others, like bikemafe, advise adapting to these conditions, emphasizing that such heating habits are standard in developed countries: “Better to get used to it, since it’s normal here. Wanting more comfort might risk losing your housing altogether.”
It’s important to highlight that the Homes for Ukraine initiative has already welcomed over 200,000 Ukrainian refugees to the UK, underscoring the need for support and realistic expectations as newcomers adjust to unfamiliar living standards.
The heating situation in the UK reveals a broader cultural gap between Ukrainian and British living habits, presenting a real challenge for many refugees. The lack of centralized heating and the focus on energy conservation are typical in British homes but can feel harsh for Ukrainians used to more consistent warmth. Online discussions emphasize the importance of adaptation and community support as Ukrainians navigate these new realities far from home.