In Liepāja, heating costs for residents in unrenovated homes have soared, with a property manager, Evija Ziemele, stating that costs for a 58-square-meter apartment increased from between €30-48 in December to €65-85 in January. The increase is attributed to higher energy consumption during colder weather, particularly with an average temperature of -7 degrees Celsius over January's 31 days. The jump in usage reflects the challenges faced by unrenovated homes, which lose heat through windows, doors, and walls, resulting in drastically increased bills for residents.

As Levija continues its efforts for renovation, approximately 200 of the 600 multi-apartment buildings in the region have been upgraded. However, many residents in the remaining 400 buildings, as highlighted by Ziemele, are now facing a struggle with increased costs due to unsatisfactory insulation in their homes. These buildings show a consumption rate similar to larger, renovated buildings, indicating that poor insulation leads to hefty energy losses for the inhabitants.

The implications of this situation are significant for tenants in unrenovated housing, as they may be forced to endure increasing bills during the colder months without adequate support for renovations. The ongoing discussions about improving the housing infrastructure in Liepāja are crucial to ensuring that all residents can manage their heating costs effectively in the future, thereby highlighting a pressing urban development challenge that requires immediate attention from local authorities.