Saving heating costs made easy: close the blinds in the evening

Heating accounts for a large part of the energy costs in private households. Even small measures help to reduce heating costs. These tricks will help you save.

Overview

If you turn the heating down a little, you don't lose comfort. But he saves money. According to the German Energy Agency (dena), the optimal temperature in living spaces is 19 to 21 degrees. It can be less in the bedroom, but not below 16 degrees.

1. Even one degree cooler saves money

Every degree less saves around six percent of heating energy, explains the non-profit consulting company co2online in Berlin. Samples have confirmed this. In the case of an average non-refurbished single-family house with 150 square meters and 22,500 kilowatt hours of consumption per year, a gas heating system can save 1,350 kilowatt hours and thus around 115 euros per year. For heating oil, it makes 65 euros.

In a partially renovated old building with a consumption of 18,000 kilowatt hours, 1,080 kilowatt hours and 90 euros are possible with gas heating and 55 euros with oil heating. In addition, changing the provider can also save money on the household budget.

Control the temperature correctlyThe thermostat is provided with numbers. However, these are not to be equated with temperature. So level 3 does not mean that 30 degrees will be reached in the room. The numbers indicate how far the inlet valve is open. Level 3 brings about a room temperature of about 20 to 21 degrees. Level 2, which is best suited for the bedroom, ensures a room temperature of up to 16 degrees.

2. Save money with thermostatic valves

Avoid inefficient heating. This means that the thermostat should not be turned on and off carelessly. If the room cools down too much, for example by reducing the temperature when you're away, even more energy is needed to heat the room up again later.

The desired temperature can be set using a programmable temperature controller. However, it can also switch off the heating temporarily or reduce the heat supply to the room – for example when you are away or at night. Even in apartment buildings, residents can install their own thermostatic valves. An automatic or programmable thermostatic valve slowly regulates the room temperature up and down, reducing energy costs.

According to co2online, about ten percent of energy can be saved with programmable thermostats. In a family home with 150 square meters and eight radiators, replacing the more than 15-year-old thermostatic valves with programmable models can mean annual savings of 155 euros. The price for the new devices is 10 to 50 euros per radiator.

3. Do not tilt windows

Permanently tilted windows cool down a room and its walls. This also ventilates away expensive heating. It is better to exchange used air through forced ventilation - several times a day for a few minutes is sufficient.

Our tip: You should also avoid permanently tilted windows at night. This keeps the heat in the house.

The best way to ventilate the room is to create a draught, for example through open windows opposite. As a result, the air is exchanged even faster. There are even recommendations as to how many minutes you should ventilate in which months, depending on the assumed weather conditions:

Regulate the temperatureIf the heating air is too warm or uncomfortable for you, you should regulate the temperature using the thermostat instead of relying on a constant supply of air through an open window. If the heating air is dry, it helps to place a bowl of water on the radiator.

4. Intermittent airing pays off

According to experts, intermittent airing can result in savings of 12.5 percent on heating costs. In an unrenovated single-family house with 150 square meters of living space and gas heating with a total consumption of 22,500 kilowatt hours, that makes 240 euros per year (2812.5 kilowatt hours). With an oil heater it is about 140 euros. In a comparable but partially renovated building with a consumption of 18,000 kilowatt hours, 190 euros with gas heating and 110 euros with oil heating are possible (2,250 kilowatt hours).

The German Tenants' Association expects savings of up to 200 euros per heating season for a family of four in a correspondingly large apartment in which the windows were previously permanently open. There is also a risk of mold if the walls cool down, because, according to dena, moisture can form at temperatures below 16 degrees.

Intermittent ventilation makes sense: The short-term draft prevents mold growth and improves the air quality.

5. Move furniture away from the heater

Curtains that cover radiators or furniture placed directly in front of them prevent the heat from dissipating well. Therefore, the radiators should always remain free if possible.

The German Tenants' Association calculates that such a build-up of heat can cost the household up to 15 percent of the heat given off.

6. Save heating costs through better insulation

Leaky windows and draughty doors should be insulated. It is often sufficient to re-oil and adjust the window fittings. Cracks and crevices are sealed with sealing strips made of foam or rubber. In order for the window rubber to last longer, you should rub graphite on it from time to time. Then it stays smooth. We have put together for you how to detect draft sources and other tips for sealing windows and doors.

7. Close the blinds in the evening

Lowered blinds can insulate the rooms and ensure that the cold stays outside at night. Thick curtains also insulate the windows well. However, do not leave blinds and curtains permanently closed. This promotes mold growth on the window.

8. Bleed the radiators

If there is air in the radiators, they cannot get really warm. On top of that, they also cluck. Therefore, before the start of the heating season, you should bleed the radiators by opening the bleed valve on the side. In rented apartments, the landlord should take care of venting the radiators, since the heating water then has to be refilled. Otherwise the pressure drops - the result: the radiators do not get warm.

According to experts, households can save around 20 euros a year by bleeding the radiator. This corresponds to an assumed saving of 1.5 percent. What you should consider when venting the heater and how to replace a defective thermostat - here are the instructions.

9. Hydraulic balancing sets the heating optimally

However, the correct heating behavior only leads to success if the system is also working properly. Regular maintenance ensures that wearing parts are replaced in good time and dirt is removed.

If radiators rustle or are unevenly warm, the heating system is usually set incorrectly. A specialist should check the heating system thoroughly: With what is known as "hydraulic balancing", he ensures that the heating water is distributed evenly and that all rooms are supplied with heat as required.

10. Cleaning the radiator brings more warmth

Cleaning the radiator makes sense for hygienic reasons and also saves money. On the one hand, dirt is thrown up by the heated air, causing dust particles to be released into the ambient air. This puts a strain on the respiratory tract and eyes. On the other hand, a thick layer of dust inside the radiator prevents efficient heat distribution.

Only clean the radiators when they are cold. Then place a slightly damp cloth or newspaper under the radiator before cleaning. Dust bunnies, dust and insects that fall through are caught with it.

You can clean all areas and the back of the radiator with a 30 to 40 centimeter long brush or the radiator nozzle on the vacuum cleaner. The more accessible outer surfaces are also cleaned with water and an all-purpose cleaner. Do not use hard abrasive sponges - they could scratch the paintwork.

11. Close doors

Even if it seems obvious: close the doors in your apartment properly after airing them out - you should also avoid leaning on them. In this way, the heat stays in the heated rooms and the cold air stays in the less heated rooms instead of being distributed throughout the home.

Our tip: Use a thermohygrometer. With this you can measure the level of both the room temperature and the humidity.

Furthermore, closed doors in cool rooms prevent the air humidity from rising too much as soon as warmer air enters. The condensation would accumulate on the cold walls, which would encourage mold growth.

12. Use insulating furnishings

To prevent the heat from entering the room via the floor or the walls, you should use carpets and wall decorations such as pictures. They provide additional insulation and also create a warm atmosphere.

If you don't want to lay a carpet, you can put smaller rugs on your tile, stone or laminate floor even in the cold season. You can then put them away again in the spring.

Save heating costs: the most important tips summarized