What's the buzz

Does southern China need a heating system? As the cold weather continues to freeze the south of the country, people are calling on the government to introduce northern China's central heating model to southern China, especially the vast areas along the Yangtze River. However, there are those who say it would be too difficult and too expensive and would only waste energy. What's your opinion? China Daily's mobile phone news readers share their views:

I am from the North and now live in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Though I complained about the winter a lot when I first arrived here, I cannot agree with public heating in the South. It would be a huge project to build heat-supply pipelines and the operation and maintenance of the relevant facilities would have to be carried out during the entire year even though the heating would only be supplied three months at most. This would make the cost far higher than in the North. Also, the heating fees would be almost as much as the electricity fee for using an air conditioner as a heater. Therefore, it is better we figure out a more economical and environmentally friendly way to solve the heating problem in the South.

A READER, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province

I think central heating in the South should not follow the example of the North, considering the heating pattern of the latter has exposed many problems, such as serious pollution, poor efficiency and a lack of adaptability. Therefore, the public heating system in the South, if installed one day, should put more focus on energy saving, emissions reduction and increased heating efficiency. New heating methods such as under-floor heating are more applicable than central heating in the southern regions.

JASON, Foshan, Guangdong province

I strongly support public heating for the South. Though there are not many very cold days there, two months of extremely damp, cold weather is barely bearable. I found it very comfortable staying in the North for four years. After that my hometown was not my first choice for a career, because I couldn't stand the weather there any more. Central cities such as Changsha in Hunan province and Chengdu in Sichuan province would be more attractive to talent if public heating was installed. Hopefully relevant policies to realize this will be introduced as soon as possible.

SHINEAIMI, Shenzhen, Guangdong province

Winter in Shanghai is famous for being cold and damp, but I personally do not support central heating. Though the damp and cold is unbearable, yet it only lasts for one or two months. The three or four summer months of intense heat bother local people more. Also, to some extent, we are lucky compared with people in tropical areas as we get to enjoy a winter. Since every home has an air conditioner now, they can always use that when it gets extremely cold. It is more economical and environmentally friendly for the government to grant people electricity subsidies, rather than provide public heating.

A READER, Shanghai

(China Daily 01/14/2013 page9)