It must be continuously heated to keep the whole house warm, even on the coldest winter days. But many mistakes that can lead to unnecessarily high energy consumption are made in heating. Thanks to our “smart” tips, you will not only save energy and heating costs, but you will also preserve the environment.
There is no shortage of advice when it comes to heating. But most of them are of such complexity that they are hardly remembered. On the other hand, our 5 tips are very simple to implement and extremely effective. Once you have assimilated them, these tips will provide you with many advantages (comfort, energy savings, etc.).
1. Heat rooms differently as needed
Among the first pieces of advice in terms of heating, we can mention heating the rooms at the right temperature, sometimes with certain differences. The recommended comfort temperature in the living or dining room is between 20 and 22°C. At this temperature, heating costs remain under control, and the room does not cool down too quickly.
It’s a little different for the kitchen. In this room, the optimum room temperature is between 18 and 19°C. The reason for this is that there are other heat sources, such as the oven or stove, which also emit heat. This room must therefore be less heated. The recommended room temperature is also between 18 and 19°C in the bedroom. It is true that there are no additional heat sources in this room, but we usually put ourselves under a blanket.
The children’s room and the bathroom, on the other hand, must be heated a little more. The following tip applies to the children’s room: when the children are still small, their room should be a little warmer. Whether in the kitchen or the bedroom, these rooms do not need to be constantly heated. If we lower the temperatures by just one degree Celsius, we can save up to 7% in heating costs!
2. Clear the radiators
Now for the second part of our advice on heating: people often place their furniture in front of the heating, either for lack of space or because they prefer to sit near the windows. This is inefficient, as it results in a buildup of heat, and the air cannot be optimally distributed in the room.
If it is not possible to place the furniture elsewhere, you should maintain a distance of at least 20 centimeters between it and the heater. Even curtains that partially or completely cover the radiators generate unnecessary energy consumption and hinder the proper distribution of heat in the room.
3. Clean radiators
The third tip is frequently overlooked. Over time, dust accumulates on the chest of drawers and the television, but also the radiators. All this is not only unsightly but also has a negative impact on the performance of the heater. Indeed, the dust has an insulating effect and reduces the efficiency of heating.
In addition, airborne dust has a negative impact on the atmosphere of the room, which can inconvenience allergy sufferers. Generally, it is sufficient to pass a damp cloth over the radiators to remove the dust. To clean the gaps of finned radiators, it is advisable to use a lamellar brush.
4. Heat properly when you are away
When you’re away, heating rooms are one of the most frequently mentioned heating tips. Most consumers turn off their heating when they are away. They want to save energy and money in this way, but the opposite is happening. This is because when a heater is turned off for an extended period, the house cools down, and it takes a lot of energy to heat it again.
In the most serious cases, there is a risk of mold. It is, therefore, advisable to leave the heater on continuously in a low setting. In the event of long-term absence, a temperature of 12°C is sufficient so that the house does not cool down completely. In the event of absence on weekends, the radiators can be regulated at approximately 15°C.
5. Ventilate well
Good ventilation is one of the requirements for efficient heating. And that doesn’t just apply to the kitchen, where a lot of food is cooked, and there is a lot of humidity. An adult produces evaporation of several liters of water per day. For a family of four, that’s a significant accumulation. To avoid mold, it is, therefore, advisable to air it three times a day.
A frequent error in reasoning regarding ventilation is to think that by tilting the windows, the heat loss to the outside will be less. Aeration several times is much more effective. Windows should be left fully open for 4-6 minutes for the moisture to escape. In the fall, when the temperatures have not yet dropped below zero, the windows can remain open for 10 to 15 minutes without any problem.
Of course, hot air also escapes. The floor, furniture, and partitions do not cool completely during this short period of time. It is, therefore, not necessary to heat them again. When possible, it is advisable to open two windows facing each other to create a draft. During ventilation, the radiators must be lowered. Proper ventilation is one of the most important heating tips. This prevents mold formation and ensures better air quality in the house.
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