Energy is expensive, so saving is the order of the day – but you need to do it right. When it's cold, different rules apply to ventilation and heating than in summer. Here is a brief summary of the most important tips.
Proper heating starts with setting the room temperature and doesn't end with ventilation. "Even small adjustments can have a big impact – and save you money during the heating months," says Markus Lau, technical expert at the German Liquid Gas Association (Deutscher Verband Flüssiggas e.V.).
Frequently turning the heating up and down consumes a lot of energy. The better strategy for getting through the winter in an energy-efficient way is to maintain constant temperatures at a low or medium level. Consistency is also worthwhile when it comes to achieving the desired room temperature. Turning the thermostat up to the maximum will not speed up the heating of your home. Radiator thermostats regulate the final temperature in the room, but not how quickly it warms up.
Even when it's cold and rainy outside, it's really important to air out your place regularly. The right way to do it in winter is to air it out quickly and intensely, ideally two or three times a day for three to five minutes. The best way is to air it out all at once, or even better, to open windows on opposite sides of the room to create a cross-draught. You should definitely avoid leaving windows tilted open for long periods of time. When ventilating, radiator thermostats should always be turned off completely.
Even small adjustments can result in significant savings. "Lowering the room temperature by one degree reduces energy consumption by around six percent," says Markus Lau. "For example, reducing the temperature in the bedroom from 20 degrees to 16 degrees saves around 24 percent in heating energy."
However, excessive thriftiness is not recommended. If you do without heating completely during the cold season, you risk mould growth. The temperature in living spaces should not fall below 16 degrees on a permanent basis. If you decide to have different temperatures in different rooms, you should ensure that the temperature difference between the rooms does not exceed five degrees.
Photo: © Pasja 1000, Pixabay
