Keep me warm, let people laugh, especially in winter! Keeping your house at a good temperature without causing your energy bill to skyrocket is a challenge you can overcome.
To achieve this, you just need to follow the most efficient tricks to reduce heating costs because there are many tricks, but not all have the same impact. These are the ones that work best.
Control the temperature
For every degree you reduce the temperature, your heating costs will be reduced by between 7% and 11%. A temperature between 19º and 21º is ideal for a pleasant environment in winter.
Lowering the temperature to 16º at night, when so much heat is not needed, will help you save 13% on heating.
And if you don't have a thermostat, buy one.
The best way to control the temperature is with a thermostat. This way you will avoid having to remember to change the temperature at every moment of the day or having to check how cold or hot it is in your home.
The thermostat will also allow you to program the temperature and turn off the heating when you are not at home to further reduce costs. It is a very affordable investment that will pay off very quickly. You will find basic programmable thermostats from just under 40 euros.
Check the contracted rate
You will find an infinite number of options for your electricity and gas rates on the market. Energy companies are constantly changing and updating prices, as well as launching promotions.
Check your rate every year. If it is above or below the market price, it is one of the most efficient ways to save on heating.
Check what power you have contracted
If you have electric heating, it is also advisable to check the contracted power because it will usually be more than you need. This power measures the number of appliances that you can have on at the same time without the differential tripping.
Most homes can function perfectly with a power of 2 kW. For each additional kW contracted you will be spending 35.6 euros more per year.
Purge and check the radiators
Taking care of the maintenance of your radiators will also help you reduce your heating costs.
It is necessary to bleed radiators at least once a year to remove any air they may contain that makes them work worse.
Check the windows and doors
Windows and doors are the main point of escape for heat in winter and cold in summer. Make sure that the windows are well sealed and install weather stripping if they do not have it.
According to IDEA data, up to 30% of heating costs are related to losses through windows. Installing double-glazed windows can reduce heat loss by nearly 50%. This is one of the 5 ideas for a more sustainable home .
Consider insulating your home
A step beyond windows and doors is the insulation of the house. The difference between the energy expenditure of a 100 square metre house with the highest energy certification and one with the lowest is 1,700 euros per year.
Replacing windows and bay windows and changing the building envelope are among the most effective measures.
The best time to do this is before you move into the house with a good home renovation that includes these changes to improve energy efficiency. The two advantages are that you will not have to endure the works and that you will be able to access a green mortgage under better conditions depending on the energy rating of the home.
Invest in a low-consumption boiler
An energy-efficient boiler will reduce heating costs by 35%.
It is an investment that can exceed 1,000 euros, but you will recoup your money between the seventh and ninth year of life for a device that will be with you for well over a decade.
Ventilate with your head
Even if it is winter, you have to ventilate the house, but if you do it, it is better to do it during the central hours of the day, when there is sun or when using the heating.
In other words, do not ventilate as soon as you get up if the heating has just been turned on, for example.
Take advantage of blinds and curtains
Knowing how to use your blinds means a potential saving of between 15% and 20%. All you have to do is keep them up when it's sunny and down when it's not or when it gets dark.
Also putting on thicker curtains in winter will help reduce energy costs.
Do not cover the radiators
It may seem obvious, but many houses still cover radiators to hide them, while others use them as a clothesline. Doing so will help clothes dry faster, but at the cost of increasing energy bills.
This also includes elements that do not completely cover the radiator, but do prevent it from heating as well.
Dress appropriately
You probably wouldn't wear a sweater in the summer because you have the air conditioning on too high. But don't do the opposite in the winter either.
One of the most effective ways to save on heating is to dress appropriately for the time of year. This means wearing a warmer sweater at home too.
Use reflective panels
Placing reflective panels behind radiators can save 10% to 20% on electricity.
Thanks to the panels, the heat generated by the radiator will not accumulate on the wall and will be distributed throughout the house.
All these tips to spend less on heating will help make your home more energy efficient and save you hundreds of euros on your energy bill.
