Compared to unrenovated old buildings, new buildings with a modern heating system and energy-saving heating behavior can save up to 80% of heating costs. In this article you will learn the 9 most important tips to permanently reduce your energy consumption.
1. lower the temperature of your heating properly!
The automatic setting of a so-called night setback or even turning down the heating manually in the evening can be unproductive.
The heating system requires increased heating power after the setback phase in order to reach the desired temperature level again. Therefore, if the premises are not used for a short time, it is advisable not to lower them.
Lowering is useful in case of prolonged non-use of the premises
On the other hand, a lowering can be quite reasonable in case of longer non-use. If you are going on vacation, for example, the room temperature can be turned down to 15 degrees Celsius. Thus, the heating system subsequently has only one task to increase the heating power. This has a positive effect on the heating bill.
2. set each room temperature individually!
Lower the room temperature where it is acceptable to you. Not every room in the house requires the same temperature. Whereas in the bathroom – depending on the level of well-being – 23 to 24 degrees Celsius seem pleasant, a temperature of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius is usually sufficient in the bedroom.
For unused rooms, a room temperature of 15 degrees Celsius is usually sufficient. However, this temperature should not be undercut. Otherwise, heat will be dissipated from other rooms.
Generally, the rule of thumb is: one degree savings in room temperature means 6% savings in energy costs.
To give you some clues about your energy savings, below are the room temperatures that are usually considered comfortable.
- Bathroom: 23 – 24 °C
- Living room: 20 to 22 °C
- Kitchen: 16 – 18 °C
- Bedroom: 16 – 18 °C
- Children’s room: 20 °C
- Unused rooms: 15 °C
3. ventilate the premises efficiently!
Proper ventilation only plays a role in heating systems that heat via convection heat. Because this type heats the air. When the windows are opened, the warm air escapes and is exchanged with cool outside air.
Therefore, you should avoid a permanent tilt position of the windows and limit the process to a five- to ten-minute shock ventilation.
Surface heating systems that work via radiant heat heat the matter in the room (people, furniture, etc.) and not the air. For this reason, the opening of windows is insignificant. This results in hardly any energy loss.
Below you will find some examples that will show you how much convection and radiant heat is used in the different heating systems.
- Classic radiator – convection: 95% / radiation: 5%.
- Underfloor heating – convection: 50% / radiation: 50%.
- Surface heating (floor, wall and/or ceiling heating) – convection: 5% / radiation: 95%.
To learn more about systems that use radiant heat, click here.
4. modernize your heating!
Not only are you recommended to replace your old boiler, but it is actually mandatory. Do you have a boiler in the basement that was installed before October 1978? The EnEV stipulates that you must replace it with a new one.
Even if your boiler was installed in the 1990s, it makes sense to consider replacing it. Since then, heating technology and regenerative energies have developed greatly.
Saving with the right heating source and distribution system
Early replacement means environmental and economic benefits for you. Both the heating source and the associated distribution system have potential savings.
For example, a gas-fired, modern condensing boiler saves up to thirty percent of the natural gas that would otherwise be required compared to fifteen-year-old heating systems.
In addition, there are big differences in energy consumption when comparing conventional radiators with modern and energy-saving panel heaters.
5. avoid heat loss through insulated windows and doors!
To prevent heated air from escaping outside, you should check the insulation of your exterior doors and windows. If they are leaking, it can be expensive.
You can check the insulation with two simple tricks:
- Place a sheet of paper between the window and the frame. If it can be easily pulled out, the seal is defective. Repeat the experiment in several places to have an accurate analysis.
- Place a lighted candle in front of the frame. If the flame flickers, the spot is leaking. The best time to perform the test is in cold and windy weather.
You can quickly remedy this with a sealing tape. To achieve an even more efficient and durable seal, it is advisable to apply a sealing profile.
Similar to energy saving tip number 3, this only affects heating systems that heat via convection heat. Systems that use radiant heat are hardly affected. They do not heat the air, but heat the matter.
6. pay attention to the temperature in the boiler room!
Outdated boilers, in which high temperatures prevail, often have heat losses of up to 8%. The heat loss becomes noticeable through high temperatures in the boiler room.
By replacing the boiler or insulating it well, you can reduce heat loss to 1.5%.
7. let air out of the radiator regularly!
If you hear gurgling in the radiator, it’s time to deflate. Indeed, an air cushion prevents circulation.
Simply open the valve at the top of the radiator, hold a container under it and wait for the air to escape and water to come out. You can then close the valve again.
Air release may also be necessary for panel heating systems. Especially in the initial period after installation, air may appear in the system. A professional is able to remedy this quickly and easily.
Air in the line can cause up to 15% more energy consumption.
8. calculate to save even more!
You know how much you pay for your car or how much a glass of beer costs. But do you know how much you’re paying for your energy consumption?
You can introduce your own heating cost controlling and always have an overview of your energy consumption. If the oil consumption is higher than 20 liters per square meter per year, it is too high. If the consumption of heating oil is less than 10 liters per square meter per year, you are among the top energy savers.
If you heat with gas, then the following applies: One cubic meter of gas corresponds to one liter of oil.
This way, you’ll always know where you stand with your energy costs.
Conclusion: The smarter one saves!
Heating costs can make up a large portion of a property’s utility costs. However, it’s not just outdated heating systems that are to blame.
You can use a lot of little tricks to bring your energy consumption down. If, in addition to your heating habits, you also change your heating system to a modern one, you will have won twice.
It’s not just your wallet that benefits. By the way, the environment is also pleased about the resource-saving behavior.
Our modern panel heating works even more energy-efficient than many others due to the special pipe routing. If you also want to benefit from the advantages of modern and energy-saving panel heating, click here.
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Photo: Drobot Dean – fotolia.com
Wir sind Annette & Christian Egger. Hier im Blog erklären wir Ihnen, worauf es beim Wohlfühl-Klima ankommt. Wir behandeln hier Themen wie Energie-Sparen beim Heizen & Kühlen und zeigen Ihnen unsere interessantesten Projekte. 