Heat saving tips

Some tips to help you lower the consumption of heat

Reading the meter

Keeping track of your use on a regular basis can help you be more economical with the use of heat. 

Sealing cracks saves energy

Cracks in walls or gaps in window frames that don’t close properly can significantly reduce the temperature in your home, which results in you turning up the heating. Even the smallest opening can cause a continuous cold airflow. This is not only a waste of energy, but also not very healthy or comfortable. 

Therefore, seal off cracks in walls immediately and regularly check the integrity of your windows insulation. This can save you up to ten percent on your heating costs! Double glazing and appropriate thermal insulation measures also contribute to reducing heating costs.

One degree lower

A room temperature of 21° is pleasant, but not always necessary; for example, rooms such as the guest room or the hall do not need to be as warm as a living room. By properly regulating your heat demand, you can save energy and therefore money.

Recommended temperature levels:

Living room: 21°

Bathroom: 23°

Bedrooms: 18°

Kitchen: 18°

Dining room: 20°

As a rule of thumb, if you heat your rooms one degree lower, you will soon save 7% on your heating costs!

Radiator use

Use radiators only when necessary, particularly in spring and autumn. Do not heat rooms not in use. However, avoid freezing or excessive cooling by slightly heating the ancillary rooms in the event of extremely cold weather conditions.

Thermostatic radiator valves

If you have thermostatic radiator valves, adjust them incrementally if you want the room to be a little warmer or cooler. Turning them all the way open alternated by entirely closed will result in too much fluctuation.

Ventilation

Good ventilation is vital to remove the daily moisture production from your home. Heating a humid area requires more energy than heating a dry area.

Please note: if you have thermostatic radiator valves, do not opt for 'continuous ventilation' (e.g. open a window all day long). If cold air is constantly flowing over the thermostat, the valve 'opens' and the radiator will start heating up, which results in 'unwanted' heat release.

Uncovered radiators

Do not encase your radiators or allow curtains to drape over. This traps the heat behind the curtains. Heavy furniture in front of your radiators also traps heat.

Your heating system in anti-freeze mode when absent for a longer time

If you will be absent from your residence for a longer period, you don’t need to heat your home. Your walls and furniture will easily keep your apartment at the right temperature for a few weeks. Our suggestion: If you will be away for two to three weeks during the winter months, turn the heating down. The so-called 'anti-freeze mode' (ice sign on the thermostat) is ideal; it protects your radiators and apartment against frost, without wasting precious energy.

Don’t dry laundry on the radiator

It is tempting to dry laundry on the radiator, as it will dry faster. However, it is actually a waste of heat, making it more difficult to warm the room properly. This also applies to curtains draping over your radiators, as this will trap the heat behind them. You will then need more energy to raise the warmth in your living room to the desired temperature.

Is it too hot in your home?

If it is too hot in your home, do not immediately open the windows, but lower the heating thermostat first.

Draught exclusion

Make sure you have good draught excluders. It is a real waste when precious heat disappears to the outside through cracks and crevices. Good draught excluders will prevent this.

Heating on night mode

Turn the heating on to the night mode half an hour before you go to bed (± 16° C, max difference between night and day is 5°C). Your home will stay warm for a little while longer. Do not turn the heating below 16° C, as it will take a lot of energy to return your home to a sufficient temperature. And remember, moisture precipitates (condensation) on the walls and furniture surfaces of a cold dwelling.

For heat pumps the difference between night and day temperature should be max 1,5°C.

Bleed your radiators

Bleed your radiators makes your house go warmer more quickly but also improves the efficiency of your heating installation. How to? Click here. Make sure that the pressure in your heating installation stays high enough after the bleeding.