As winter approaches earlier than usual this year, the issue of heating has become a pressing concern for many residents. In Beijing’s Dongcheng District, the Baochao Yuan Community, particularly Building 1 of its first compound, is undergoing renovation as part of the city’s old residential area renewal program. However, residents discovered that while indoor water pipes were being replaced, the corroded heating pipes remained untouched, raising questions and concerns.

**The Problem: Heating Pipes in Dire Condition** Built around 2000, Baochao Yuan Community is among the "youngest" in the old residential renewal program. Yet, its heating pipes have deteriorated significantly, with rust flaking off at critical joints. During the ongoing renovation, residents noticed the severe corrosion of heating pipes running through floors, especially at the points where they penetrate ceilings and floors.

Unlike water pipes, heating pipe replacements were not initially included in the renovation plan. Residents questioned why, especially since similar projects in other communities often address both simultaneously. Investigations revealed that under Beijing’s "14th Five-Year Plan" for old residential renewal, heating pipe upgrades fall under "improvement projects" but are not mandatory. Funding for such projects varies, with responsibilities split among municipal subsidies, utility providers, and property owners—a challenge in Baochao Yuan due to unclear property rights.

**Funding Disputes: Who Should Pay?** Local authorities, heating providers, and property management held discussions to resolve the funding issue. Initially, the heating company was expected to cover costs, but complications arose. A longstanding agreement between the heating provider and property management allocated ¥2 per square meter from residents’ heating fees (¥30 per square meter) for emergency repairs. However, the current property management, which took over in 2017, lacked accumulated funds for large-scale replacements.

Efforts to involve the original developer or property owners hit dead ends. The developer, a now-defunct municipal service unit, left no clear successor, while individual homeowners resisted self-funding. Residents cited regulations stating that heating providers should manage shared indoor heating systems, further complicating responsibility.

**Resident Consensus: A Race Against Time** With the heating season looming, unifying resident opinions became critical. The building’s mixed ownership—including private homeowners, former work-unit buyers, and rental properties—made consensus difficult. Some residents, whose pipes were less corroded, hesitated to approve disruptive renovations. Others had already completed water pipe upgrades and were reluctant to revisit construction work.

Local authorities and community workers launched a campaign to persuade residents, emphasizing the long-term benefits of simultaneous upgrades. They highlighted that delaying repairs risked leaks, higher emergency repair costs, and potential property damage during winter.

**Breakthrough and Progress** After multiple negotiations, the heating provider and property management agreed to jointly fund the replacements, with the former covering the majority. By October 11, work began, prioritizing pipes in bathrooms and kitchens. The "skip-floor" method minimized disruption, and over 80% of households completed upgrades by October 27.

The project’s success hinged on leveraging the ongoing renovation to avoid duplicate construction and costs. For residents, it was a rare opportunity to address aging infrastructure efficiently—before winter’s chill set in.