How to save on heating during winter
No matter how prepared or trained you might think that you are, there comes a time when you should consider listening to some advice. Therefore, we all could use, for instance, some tips on how to save on heating during winter.
Technology is developing at such a fast speed, that nowadays we have at our disposal numerous options for heating our home. We’ve talked with several experts and we think that you could give this article a read.
Many professionals consider that even during winter time, we can significantly save on our heating costs. We just have to do some research, read more, and listen to what people working in this field recommend. Here are 11 ideas for saving on heating costs this winter:
Consider thermal insulation before anything
By doing so, you can rest assured that you will not lose any heat neither through your windows or doors.
In the past years, numerous experts have firmly advised their clients to start with the heat insulation. This represents a great way to save some money when it comes to paying the heating bills.
In fact, you could save up to 30 or 45% from your energy consumption. Of course, this depends a lot on the quality of the insulation materials that you use.
Experts say that if you don’t feel sure on doing this process on your own, then you should better turn to a professional’s service. It weighs a lot if the thermal insulation is done the proper way.
Moreover, you will not only save on your heating costs. An appropriate external insulation will also prevent must and damp from messing with your walls.
Set the right temperature
There are several details that you should keep in mind whenever you feel that too much money are going out the window on your heating bills. This is why you should learn how to correctly set the temperature throughout your house.
Ideally, your living room should have 20°C and in your bedroom, you should set your temperature to about 19° or 20°.
The bathroom asks for a higher temperature, of about 22°C. Of course, these are considered to be general suggestions and you are entitled to make your own choices.
Finally this is what your comfort is all about: doing the things your way. However, if you’re planning to save more money during winter, you should consider these recommendations.
Just give them a try, even though this means that you should put on some more clothes. Saving on heat costs comes with some sacrifices, don’t you think?
Use a thermostat
“What? Spend more money?” Well, yes, if you want to save later. Installing a thermostat does, indeed, mean spending some more cash, but the in time the benefits are really important.
A thermostat can greatly help you to save more money on your heating costs. With this additional device you can control the temperature from your house during the whole day.
Think of this scenario: while you’re at work, it makes a lot of sense that you won’t need a high temperature in your home. Therefore, you can use your heating to the minimum.
Of course, you can rise the temperature with an hour before you know you’ll get home so that you can enjoy your evening in an appropriate environment.
A thermostat allows you to take complete control of the way heat is used within your home. You just have to set your own program at the beginning, so you’ll only have to stop it when you’re away on holidays.
Carefully choose where you place your radiator and thermostat
Where you place these two can make a lot of difference when it comes to how much you can save on your heating costs. You should not cover them or hide them behind a furniture piece.
Another very important thing to keep in mind is to never place a thermostat near a window. Otherwise, this can create significant fluctuations in the temperature values that this device registers.
Turn off heating while you ventilate your home
Some fresh air to ventilate your rooms is always a great choice, especially in the morning. However, during winter, you should consider turning off your heating while doing it.
In order to save on thermal energy, it is of great importance that your heating is not functioning while your windows are wide open.
You should never skip this step, of ventilating your home. This represents an essential point in keeping a high quality of the air that you breath in your house.
Clean your radiators
In order for a thing that you invest in, to function appropriately as much as possible, it is really important how you take care of it. The same goes for your radiators.
Specialists firmly state that a periodic cleaning of your radiators will help a lot in saving on heating costs. Also, you will enjoy a maximum efficiency.
Therefore, before each cold season, make a habit out of cleaning your radiators, or at least, checking on them. You might spend some more money, but during winter, you will significantly save on your heating bills.
Turn of radiators if you don’t need them
This tip is part of an efficient use of your heating. If you don’t use a certain room from your house, then why would you still keep your radiators on?
Therefore, turn off the radiators from the rooms where nobody lives in. In the end, you’ll keep these with the door shut, so their lower temperatures won’t get in the way of your heating.
Of course, you’ll still ventilate them from time to time. So it makes no sense to keep heating these spaces, which nobody uses. If you don’t expect any guests and you want to save more money, then you should consider giving this idea a try.
Choose the right temperature degree
You can choose your own temperature, of course, but this idea can greatly help you to save more on heating costs. The trick is to always go 2 degrees lower from the temperature you initially choose.
So let’s say that you’d like for your living room a value of 22° , as you consider this to be your comfortable temperature. According to experts’ advice, you should go for 20°C.
At a physical level, you won’t even feel the difference, but your heating bills will certainly do. In fact, one degree lower for your house heating will translate as you saving about 3% of your total energy consumption.
Set the temperature of your domestic water
This can say a lot in how much you get to save on your heating costs during winter. Therefore, in order to do so, set the domestic water’s temperature at the lowest level possible.
By doing this, you won’t have to combine the hot water with the cold one, just to be able to comfortably use it.
The idea is to efficiently use your hot water so that you don’t spend too much money on heating bills. The minimum level this idea advises you on should help you enjoy a comfortable bath.
Also, washing the dishes should also be enjoyable. It’s all about finding your right temperature and set it for the entire winter season. Sometimes, the smallest details can make a huge difference.
Always follow professional recommendations
We should always give credit to those that studied in a certain field and which we have not. Therefore, when it comes to efficiently use heating, you should follow what professionals recommend.
If you are not fully aware of what you have to do with your heating system, it is best to ask for a specialist’s advice. You will not only enjoy a comfortable temperature in your home, but you will also seriously save some cash on your heating bills during winter.
This means that any maneuver of either cleaning or repairing is to be performed by an expert and not you, if you’re not activating in this particular field.
Do periodical check-ups
Even during the winter season, make sure that you take a look on your heating system. It’s better to prevent than to treat, right?
This means that any abnormal functioning of your heating system observed in time, can greatly help you save on other more expensive repairing maneuvers.
Also, let a professional do this because he knows best what needs to be done in such a situation.
Conclusion
Saving on heating costs during the winter season is no rocket science. You just have to consider some small details that can greatly make a big difference.
We’ve gathered these 11 tips and tricks from professionals and the way you use them is all up to you.
Always do your own research and choose which ones you consider that fit you best.
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