Blog Tag - electricity

Bracing for Beijing's Power Upgrade: What You Should Know
Submitted on Dec 04, 2023
Beijing Electric Power recently announced a temporary hiatus on electricity purchases. This is due to a scheduled system upgrade, set to take place...
My Beijing Landlord Fought The Law, But The Law Won
Submitted on Jan 24, 2017
One of the most annoying frustrations about life in China when I first moved to Beijing was that electricity needed to be pre-loaded on to our house...
Take Charge: How to Pay for Electricity, Gas, Water, and Internet in Beijing
Submitted on Jun 10, 2016
Paying for utilities is a pain at the best of times, but language barriers can turn what should be a simple task into a Sisyphean undertaking. Those...
Electricity in Hujialou to Be Turned off October 20 for 12 Hours; Internet Being Upgraded
Submitted on Oct 18, 2015
[Updated Oct 18 8.35pm] A notice from our building management said that the outage will affect "the entire Hujialou area." We will continue to seek a...
It’s a Gas: Setting up and Paying for Utilities in Beijing
Submitted on May 28, 2015
Electricity Most people top up their electricity with an electricity card. In newer buildings, it’s one card per meter and one meter per apartment;...
Too Little, Too Late: Beijing Plans Coal Ban by End of 2020
Submitted on Aug 06, 2014
Beijing plans to ban the burning of coal at all of its area power plants as well as high polluting fuels by the end of 2020. Um, thanks? If coal...
Back to Basics: How to Set-up and Pay for Utilities in Beijing
Submitted on Jun 10, 2014
  When in China, do as the Chinese do. You’re embarking on a utilities journey that will most likely be in stark contrast to your previously smooth...