The 2025–2026 heating season in Ukraine: when it will start and how to heat an apartment without radiators

Cold weather arrived earlier than warm heaters, and many Ukrainians found themselves without heating and gas. To avoid freezing at home, it is important to know how to heat your apartment even without centralized heating. Learn about ways to heat your home without heating – safely, effectively, and economically

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The heating season in Ukraine starts as planned, and the decision on its start and end is made by local authorities. Usually, heat is supplied to homes when the average daily air temperature remains below +8°C for three consecutive days.

Recently, there's been some talk that the 2025–2026 heating season will supposedly last from November 1 to March 31. But the Ministry of Energy denied this, saying that no specific dates have been set — they'll be decided locally, depending on the weather.

Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1267 only extends the fixed prices for natural gas for heat producers:

for the population — UAH 7,420 per 1,000 cubic meters, including VAT,

for budgetary institutions — UAH 16,390 per 1,000 cubic meters, including VAT.

This guarantees uninterrupted gas supply throughout the heating season. In many regions, including 15 oblasts and Kyiv, kindergartens, schools, and hospitals have already started heating.

Even so, Ukrainians are increasingly faced with situations where their apartments become cold before the official start of heating or during gas and electricity outages. Therefore, it is important to know how to heat your home without central heating.

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How to heat an apartment without heating: effective and safe ways

Battery-powered heaters

Modern compact devices with USB charging can be powered from a power outlet or power bank. They cannot heat the entire room, but they are great for warming your hands, feet, or shoulders. There are also electric socks, gloves, blankets, or ponchos with heating — an ideal option for economical local heating.

Warmers

Disposable or reusable warmers that activate on contact with air can emit heat for up to 8 hours. These mini gadgets can be placed in shoes, on the chest, or around the neck. They do not require electricity, so they are widely used by tourists, the military, and residents of homes without stable heating.

Heater + portable power station

If you have a charging station (such as EcoFlow or Bluetti), you can use it to power an electric heater even without a power grid. This is the most convenient and at the same time the most expensive way to keep your apartment warm. The cost of the “station + heater” set starts at around 30,000 hryvnia.

Please note that the demand for autonomous heating products is growing. Sales of power banks, burners, and camping stoves have increased 8.4 times, charging stations — 7 times, flashlights and gas cylinders — 3.7 times. Demand for generators, candles, batteries, and accumulators has also grown.

Gas and kerosene heaters

In extreme cases, you can use gas heaters on cylinders or paraffin (kerosene) heaters. However, they require mandatory ventilation, as they burn oxygen and emit carbon monoxide. Such devices cannot be left unattended — they are a fire hazard.

Simple ways to keep your home warm

- Seal gaps in windows and doors with weatherstripping.

- Cover windows with thick curtains.

- Use rugs and blankets to reduce heat loss through the floor.

- Prepare hot drinks — tea or soup helps to warm you up from the inside.

Even if you temporarily have no gas or heating, there are many ways to keep warm. It is worth preparing for the cold season in advance — check your insulation, stock up on alternative energy sources, and follow safety rules. In the cold, the main thing is warmth and a sensible approach.

If you are in Ukraine as a foreigner, you should also take care of your own safety. We always recommend taking out medical insurance with coverage for war risks — it guarantees assistance even in emergency situations. You can easily take out such insurance on the Visit Ukraine website. To do this, select the type of coverage, the term of the policy, and fill out a simple form with your personal details. You will receive the finished insurance policy at the email address you provided.

Reminder! The occupier is again attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure, increasing the risk of blackouts in cities and regions. To avoid being left without light, heat, and communication, it is worth preparing in advance and having simple and affordable gadgets on hand that will help you get through power outages comfortably. Find out what items you should definitely have at home and how to prepare for possible power supply instability.

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