With the arrival of winter, we start to tremble when we think about how much the heating bill can rise this winter. In the context of a crisis like the current one, it is best to avoid any unnecessary consumption and, for this, nothing better than keeping up to date with tricks that help us keep warm, reduce spending and save on heating in the coming months.
A practical guide to save on heating
Small day-to-day gestures can help us reduce costs and avoid big surprises when we receive the heating bill. Pay attention to our advice!
Maintain a constant temperature: the highest energy consumption occurs when the heating is turned on , so try to maintain a constant temperature through a thermostat and you will notice the savings at the end of the month. Raising 1ºC in heating can mean up to 7% more consumption, so do not pretend to have the temperature of your home as if you were in the Caribbean.
21ºC or 22ºC is the most recommended daily temperature for a pleasant stay and balanced consumption. At night, however, between 15ºC and 17ºC is sufficient. You will save between 8% and 13% of energy by using thermostatic valves or programmable thermostats on radiators.
Similarly, a thermostat in the shower can help us save up to 6% energy, with around 30-35 ºC being the perfect temperature necessary to feel comfortable. Hot water storage systems are more efficient than instantaneous production systems. Also keep in mind that it is preferable to have a single tap for hot and cold water.
Insulation, is essential for saving on heating this winter
Having good insulation of windows and doors can prevent up to 50% of heat leakage. Heat can escape through shutter boxes, windows and glazing, door and window frames and trim, and even through pipes and ducts, chimneys and the like.
Between 25% and 30% of heating is used to cover heat losses through windows. Wood and PVC frames allow for more insulation than metal frames. Double glazing is also preferable to double glazing . Through a simple crystal, the energy contained in 12 kg of diesel is lost for each m2 of surface during the winter. We advise you, therefore, to detect the currents in your house and, if you consider it necessary, seal the slots with silicone, putty or similar. A weather-strip on the front door can also help you achieve more insulation.
Other tricks to save on heating
Another effective tip is to place the radiators at the foot of the windows, in this way a curtain of hot air is created that attenuates exposure to the cold outside. And as for the blinds, close them to avoid heat loss when the natural light of the day goes out and always have curtains. They are another brake for the cold.
Perhaps it could happen to you that you have the heating on, but the radiators do not give off heat. It would be good if you try to purge them, because perhaps they have water or air from the previous year and that is preventing them from working at full capacity.
It is also important to be aware that it is not about putting the heating on a very high temperature and then going around the house in braces. Put on a sweater and thus you will be able to lower the temperature of the house, reduce your heating bill and collaborate with the environment.
Finally, it is essential to have good and well-insulated water, gas and sanitation pipes. Pipes installed outside the home are more likely to consume energy and waste water while the desired temperature is reached.
Detecting problems early can prevent incidents from becoming more serious and costly complications. For this reason, it is advisable to keep our home in proper condition throughout the year, going to the appropriate specialist. Follow these tips and enjoy a warm home without shocks in the heating bill between winters.