暖气费

暖气费 is specific to northern China (north of the 秦岭-淮河 line). Buildings have centralized municipal heating (集中供暖), turned on around mid-November and off mid-March. Residents pay annually based on apartment area (about 25-35 元 per 平米). Southern China has no central heating system - everyone uses space heaters or air conditioners.

暖气 (nuǎnqì) = central heating / radiator (the system). 空调 (kōngtiáo) = air conditioner (separate device, used for both cooling and heating in the south). Don't confuse the two when discussing winter heating.