Using the example of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, the article examines the problems of rational use of energy resources in the North Caucasian Federal District, which, ranking first among the districts in terms of gasification, is the leader in overdue debts for natural gas and its losses in networks. The release of methane into the atmosphere enhances the greenhouse effect. In all the republics of the District, due to the absence of large industrial enterprises, the situation is the same - the population has become the main consumer of gas. Numerous cases of non-contractual and unaccounted gas consumption have been recorded there, energy-saving measures are insufficiently financed, the control and accounting system does not meet modern requirements, gas networks are worn out, which serves as a cover for theft. Technical problems became secondary. They will become primary when the gas supplier deals with any region as a separate consumer and nothing more. Everything else should become a problem for the region and should not concern the supplier.

The state of the environment is most affected by the emission of greenhouse gases, in particular, carbon dioxide, which is formed during the combustion of fossil fuels. The main part of the energy resources that are consumed in rural areas, in addition to technological purposes, is fuel used for heating residential buildings. The article examines the state of thermal protection of residential buildings (individually defined buildings). During their construction in every region of a large country, they adhered to the established traditions, which changed slightly with the advent of new materials. Residential buildings built over a century ago are in operation in Russia. Local materials were mainly used in the construction of the walls. For a long time, state structures were not interested in the state of residential buildings, since there was no need for this due to the lack of a centralized fuel supply to villages. Gasification of rural settlements requires a revision of the attitude towards thermal protection of residential buildings. To solve the problem, state support will be required for the insulation of some of their external enclosing structures.