Autumn marks the start of the heating season. With just a few simple steps, you can save energy and still keep your home cosy and warm when it's stormy and hailing outside.
A number of measures are required for the heating system to work efficiently: An efficient heat supply starts with the correct water pressure in the heating system. If the water pressure is too low, the heating output drops and the radiators do not heat up properly. It is therefore essential to check the water pressure before switching on the heating. The heating water pressure can be read on the pressure gauge of the heating system. If the water pressure is in the green range, the heating can start and the heating water can circulate efficiently in the heating circuit. However, if the water pressure is too low, water must be topped up.
There is no optimum water pressure that applies to all buildings. It depends, among other things, on the height difference between the heating system and the topmost radiator, the total length of the water pipes and the number of radiators in the house.
Venting radiators is one of the most important preparations for heating operation. As air conducts heat more poorly than water, poorly vented radiators work inefficiently and cause higher energy costs. You can tell whether the radiators need bleeding if they do not heat up properly and gurgle. The heating and circulation pump should be switched off before bleeding. Use the bleed spanner to open the bleed valve on each radiator anti-clockwise. The excess air escapes with a quiet hissing sound. As soon as water constantly escapes, the valve must be closed again quickly. Finally, be sure to check the water pressure. If it is too low after bleeding, water must be topped up.
Incidentally, the room temperature increases by four degrees from one number on the radiator thermostat to the next. At "1", the room temperature is around 12 degrees, at "5" around 28 degrees. Smart thermostats automatically regulate the correct room temperature, for example when nobody is at home or rooms are not in use. To do this, they must be adapted to individual needs and programmed correctly.
Photo: © Frauke Riether, Pixabay
