The 20 best tips for saving on heating costs

1. The right heating temperature – and how to regulate it

Approximately a quarter of the energy consumed each year is used for heating. Therefore, it is important that each room is heated to the correct temperature.

Different rooms in a house or apartment have different ideal temperatures. For example, the ideal temperature for living rooms is around 20 degrees Celsius. To achieve this, the thermostat should be set to level three. In the bathroom, the temperature can be even higher, around 23 degrees Celsius. For this, the thermostat should be set between levels three and four. A comfortable 22 degrees Celsius is also suitable for a child's room.

In the bedroom, a cool 15 to 16 degrees Celsius is pleasant, as it is in the kitchen. Setting the thermostat to level 2 is sufficient here. In unused rooms or hallways, the thermostat setting can even be as low as 1. As a rule of thumb: every degree less saves approximately six percent on heating costs.

2. Not too cool – not too warm

Underheating your home just to save money is counterproductive. If the temperature drops below 12 degrees Celsius, it takes too long to reheat the rooms. Furthermore, rooms that are never properly heated and are constantly too cold can develop mold. This is because moisture condenses on cold walls. Therefore, it's important to maintain a temperature of at least 15 degrees Celsius.
Overheating is also counterproductive to saving money. If rooms are consistently overheated, the humidity in those rooms also drops. This increases the risk of respiratory illnesses and colds.

3. Close doors to poorly heated rooms

Doors to rooms that are not heated should not be left open. This cools down rooms that should remain warm, while rooms that should be kept cool are unnecessarily heated. Furthermore, this increases the risk of condensation forming on the exterior walls of the cooler room as warmer air from other rooms enters. This is also why bedrooms should be ventilated in the morning. This allows the moisture that has built up overnight to dissipate more effectively.

4. Should you turn on the heating while on vacation – yes or no?

Before going on vacation, consumers shouldn't turn their radiators off completely. It's better to leave them running at a lower temperature. An average temperature of 12 degrees Celsius is ideal for short vacation trips. For even shorter trips, such as one or two days, 15 degrees Celsius is the optimal temperature.

5. Install programmable thermostats

Programmable thermostats offer the advantage of allowing residents to adjust the heat supply to their individual needs. These devices are equipped with electronics that precisely determine when the temperature rises and falls. During the night, the heat is lowered by the timer and raised again in the morning. A practical feature is the ability to program daily changing times, for example, for weekends.

6. Do not block radiators

To save on heating costs, you should give your radiators the chance to radiate heat freely. This means: radiators should not be blocked with heavy furniture. Thick curtains or drapes, as well as wood paneling, also prevent warm air from escaping and should therefore be avoided.

7. Bleeding radiators

Radiators should be bled regularly. The first indication that bleeding is necessary is when the radiators start gurgling or no longer heat up properly. This means that there is too much excess air in them. Ideally, radiators should be bled once a year using a special key, preferably before the heating season begins. By doing this, consumers can reduce their heating costs by up to 15 percent.

8. Proper ventilation

Proper ventilation is essential. In a four-person household, approximately ten liters of water evaporate daily. This moisture must be removed, otherwise mold could develop on the walls. Therefore, rooms should be ventilated twice a day for ten minutes each time. To do this, briefly open the window wide. Ideally, open a window on the opposite side of the room at the same time to create a draft. During this time, the thermostats on the radiators should, of course, be turned down.

9. No permanently tilted windows

Leaving windows tilted open all day might bring plenty of fresh air into your rooms, but it unnecessarily increases heating costs. It can take up to 75 minutes for the warm air to replace the cold air, as the rooms are significantly cooler than after a thorough airing. Furthermore, the walls cool down, increasing the risk of mold growth.

10. Keep the windows closed overnight

To keep the heat in the house, consumers should keep windows closed at night. Blinds and shutters should also remain securely closed. In the morning, it's important to ventilate thoroughly!

11. Weak point: roller shutter box and radiator niche

In older buildings, roller shutter boxes should definitely be insulated. Cold air often penetrates these areas. While windows are usually insulated with double glazing, roller shutter boxes are often overlooked. Soft insulating mats are particularly suitable for retrofitting insulation to the boxes. They are glued to the inside of the box.
Cold winds also often enter the house through radiator recesses, as the walls are thinner there. This, in turn, leads to heat loss. Homeowners should definitely insulate these areas as well.

12. Insulate walls and heating pipes

When renovating a house, good facade insulation is essential. This keeps the cold out in winter and the heat out in summer. With uniform insulation, heat is retained in the rooms. The walls remain dry and free of mold. Houses can also be retrofitted with external insulation. Another option is to insulate the rooms internally. In this case, the insulation material is attached to the interior walls.

Heating pipes should also be well insulated, for example with foam insulation. Insulation is particularly important where pipes run through unheated areas such as basements. This can save around eight percent on heating costs.

13. Windows must be airtight

Windows should also be checked for drafts. Even double-glazed windows offer little benefit if the frames are leaky and cold air is letting in. This can easily be remedied with adhesive insulating strips. Completely airtight windows can result in cost savings of up to 30 percent.

14. Seal doors

What applies to windows also applies to doors. If they are drafty, consumers should seal them as well. Adhesive foam strips are suitable for this purpose. If air is seeping under the doors, brush seals should be installed on the door leaf. Or simply use draught excluders that can be placed in front of the door. This will also keep cold air out.

15. Have the heating system serviced

Homeowners should have their heating system serviced annually. This can save up to five percent on heating costs. If the burner is incorrectly adjusted, energy consumption increases. Maintenance should only be carried out by a qualified professional.

16. Replacing the heating pump

Old heating pumps consume a large amount of energy. Models that are ten years old or older should therefore be replaced as soon as possible. Modern models have the advantage of adjusting their output to the actual demand. They consume around 100 kilowatt-hours less per year than outdated pumps. This can save up to €130 annually.

17. Reduce heating output at night

Even slightly reducing the flow temperature of your heating system at night can result in significant savings. Lowering the temperature from 20 to 17 degrees Celsius already translates to five to ten percent less heating costs. Consumers should therefore reduce their heating output accordingly at night or when away for extended periods.

18. Use new building materials

Homebuilders should only use materials that guarantee low energy consumption later on. For example, Ytong, but also calcium silicate brick constructions in combination with vacuum insulation panels or KS-Quadro-Aquatherm keep energy consumption low from the outset.

19. Carpets create warmth

Today, more and more people have tile, stone, or wooden floors. However, these often feel cold. One way to remedy this is to lay down runners or rugs. This changes the perception of cold. Consumers who previously found their rooms too cold will perceive them as about two degrees warmer and therefore more comfortable. As a result, the heating is not turned up.

20. Savings tip for solar panels

Solar panels on the roof are a good alternative for obtaining hot water. Approximately 90 percent of energy consumption is solely for heating water.

Source: heizsparer.de