Swimming pools in Rangárvallasýsla district on the south coast have been closed due to frost and district heating in Þorlákshöfn is close to breaking point as hot water shortages due to severe colds continue, RÚV reports. Considering the weather forecast today, it’s not likely that access to hot water in the capital area needs to be restricted on Friday but the situation on Saturday is unclear.
Swimming pools in Hella, Laugaland and Hvolsvöllur have been closed. In Þorlákshöfn, part of the pool and hot tubs will be closed while the cold passes. “The heating is close to a breaking point and we’re also limiting hot water to the biggest users in the area,” Ólöf Snæhólm Baldursdóttir, public relations officer for Veitur Utilities, told RÚV.
Earlier this week, it looked like swimming pools in Reykjavík would need to be closed on Friday. “Looking at the weather forecast, it’s less likely that we have to do that tomorrow, but it looks like it will get even colder Saturday and Sunday so we might have to take some action.”
Veitur have asked people to keep their hot water use in the home to a minimum. “We think it’s working since we’ve been getting calls from people wondering what they can do to limit their hot water usage. We’re seeing the increase in usage slow down, “Ólöf said. In order to limit hot water usage, people are asked to keep windows and doors closed, and lower the temperatures of radiators when they open windows. People should also make sure radiators aren’t covered by heavy curtains or furniture.
According to the weather forecast, the weather will warm up after the weekend.
