Due to the drop in air temperature, thermal energy consumption in Riga in January compared to December may increase by 59%, reported Ivo Valdovskis, head of the strategic communications department of JSC "Rīgas siltums," to the LETA agency.
The company predicts that in January of this year, residents of Riga will consume about 639,000 megawatt-hours for heating and hot water. In December, thermal energy consumption amounted to 399,900 megawatt-hours.
The average outdoor temperature in December 2025 was 2.8 degrees, while in January of this year, the average temperature is forecasted to be minus 7.6 degrees.
The company notes that January of this year will be the coldest in the last 15 years and the second coldest in the entire history of the enterprise.
Thermal energy consumption is influenced by the outdoor temperature as well as the technical condition of the building — insulation of roofs, walls, attics, basements, the condition of windows and doors, and the habits of residents — closing doors in stairwells, the chosen temperature of air and hot water in the premises.
The company explains that heating costs can be up to 60% lower in homes where comprehensive energy efficiency measures have been implemented — insulating enclosing structures, replacing windows, installing recuperative ventilation systems, repairing heating and hot water supply systems, and tidying up stairwells.
To prevent the freezing of pipelines, "Rīgas siltums" urges checking whether windows and doors in stairwells, attics, and basements are closed. Special attention should be paid to common areas and auxiliary rooms where the risk of freezing is particularly high at extremely low temperatures.
As reported, the turnover of the "Rīgas siltums" group in the last financial year, which lasted from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, amounted to 239.625 million euros, which is 3.6% less than the previous year, while the group's profit increased significantly to 19.888 million euros, according to the information released by the company.
The turnover of the parent company "Rīgas siltums" for the same period was 239.618 million euros, which is 3.6% less, while profit increased by 61.4% to 6.373 million euros.
"Rīgas siltums" is one of the main suppliers of thermal energy in Riga. 49% of the company's capital belongs to the Riga City Council, 48.99% to the Latvian state, 2% to SIA "Enerģijas risinājumi. RIX", and 0.005% of shares to the company "Latvenergo."
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