The city's heating supply was first provided by the Hongyang heating subsidiary in 2010 but since then there have been problems every year, Ma added.

Even when it does work, the service has not been as good as before, he said. To keep warm, his family has had to dig out an old electric blanket and buy another two for grandchildren.

"I have never experienced such cold in my house," said Ma, who has lived in the community for 24 years.

According to a report on China National Radio, the Hongyang heating subsidiary relied on two thermoelectric units.

When the accident happened in one unit, another one was being repaired, which caused the termination of all heating systems in most areas of the city. Many public agencies were also badly affected by the accident.

Liu Xianglin, a director for the logistic department of Liaoyang's No 5 Hospital, said many patients had had to suffer freezing temperatures in their wards. In order to ensure the normal temperatures for operations, the hospital had relied on air conditioners, at huge cost, Liu said.

Children also went home from kindergartens as temperatures dropped to -21 C in some areas on Wednesday.

Ma said he could not afford to warm his house by using air conditioners.

"It will cost me almost 20 yuan ($3.2) per day," he said, having already paid 1,600 yuan for his heating.

A manager surnamed Li at a power plant in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning, said on Thursday that the normal life span of a boiler is about 25 to 30 years, but they need servicing every year.

Contact the writers at wuyong@chinadaily.com.cn and jinhaixing@chinadaily.com.cn