Nearest to equator place (on sea level) where heating is common? (temperature, days)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The OP might be a bit more specific in his question, both what 'heating' exactly means and how high can be still considered 'sea level' (just coastal areas? what about a place at 150 metres?). In this case, we can compare real temperatures and look for such place.
Following sulkiercupid, I'd say Southeastern Bolivia might be another contender. Lower latitude than Hanoi, higher winter averages but more prone to very cool spells.
This will greatly vary depending on how developed a country is. There are many countries where it gets chilly or even cold at times in the winter but people don't have heating because they are poorer countries and heaters would be a luxury when they are really only needed for a few weeks out of the year, so the people just suffer in those times when it actually gets cold.
I have been to southern China at low elevations (Guangzhou) where it is subtropical but cold snaps occasionally happen in winter where it gets quite cold at night, and it feels so much worse because nobody has any heating in their apartments. We were there for a week in December 2011- it was getting down to the mid 30's for temperatures at night and only the upper 40's during the day- and everyone had to wear heavy coats indoors due to having no heating.
Now contrast that to places at similar latitude and similar weather patterns here in the US- my dad lives in Tampa, Florida- which is very similar weather and climate wise to Guangzhou. A very warm climate with the occasional cool or cold snap, and all homes there have heating. My dad may only use his furnace a couple weeks out of the year, but homes do have them because people don't want to have to be too uncomfortable in their homes during those weeks.
Most probably Austin Texas. 57 F high from December-February is the fine line for heating. Places that average any higher don't need heat in winter. NJ law says that heat must be provided to occupants when the average high falls below 57 F, which happens in late October.
While heating is necessary in much of far southern China, I'm not sure how common the usage is. I've heard that heating is not provided by the government south of the Yangtze river. Correct me if I'm wrong. Many cities below 30N like Changsha (at 28N) get close to freezing in the winter, so heating would definitely be necessary there.
The mean minimum in Hong Kong (at 22N) is around 48F in January, which I'd say is borderline cold enough that heating is necessary. However, cold snaps can happen. My dad went to Hong Kong once in the winter--it was 40F with no heat, and he said taking a shower was absolutely miserable.
Antofagasta, Chile is on the Tropic of Capricorn at 21 degrees south. The cold Humboldt ocean current on the Pacific Coast keeps the air temperatures cool year round. It also makes the air damp, especially when the wind is strong. The average winter (July) low is around 11-12C (low 50sF) but they get cold snaps where the temps drop lower. Most homes have little or no insulation, single pane windows and central heating is rare. However, portable heaters that use electricity or some type of fuel are pretty common.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
