The energy crisis has hit us. Gas and oil prices have been on their way up sharply for some time. The next heating bill could be a big shock, but there are ways you can keep your home warm and save money at the same time!
The cost of living has been high for many people since the introduction of the carbon price and the current ongoing energy crisis. Older people who rely on gas or oil heating may no longer be able to afford it as prices are rising dramatically, due in large part to conflicts abroad, such as the war between Russia and Ukraine, which is causing volatility in the markets we rely on daily, such as the markets for energy sources that are needed not only here but around the world - coal-fired power plants being one example.
Will homeowners have to freeze next winter? Or should they go into debt with a new heating system if necessary? Replacing it with a modern heating system that uses renewable energies such as solar thermal energy or heat pumps is probably not necessary.
However, to ensure that energy consumption doesn't put too much strain on your wallet, you can't carry on as before - you have to take precautions to make savings. The following tips will show you how to do this:
Adapt the temperature control to the room use
To heat a home efficiently and save money, you should first make sure that your thermostat is set correctly. The temperature in each room should be adjusted to the respective use - higher temperatures are pleasant for living rooms, rooms such as bedrooms or where you do not spend a lot of time, such as the hallway, should heat up much less.
Common heating thermostats have different markings for night setback, basic setting and a scale from 1-5. The lines between the numbers mark individual steps, each corresponding to one degree, which can be converted into five temperatures
- Controller to 1: 12 degrees,
- Controller to 2: 16 degrees,
- Control to 3: 20 degrees,
- Control to 4: 24 degrees,
- Control to 5: 28 degrees.
Heating with constant room temperature
Before the heating season starts, you should make sure that the heating in your home is working. A specialist company can check that all radiators and essential components are working properly and, if necessary, bleed each radiator so that the heat is distributed more evenly throughout the house in the winter months when temperatures drop below freezing for several hours at night.
Do not cover the radiators with curtains or obstruct them with furniture. Keep the doors between the rooms closed when you are not using them so that they do not inadvertently let out warm air on one side while creating a cold draught on the other!
Close blinds and shutters during the night to create an additional layer of insulation. Without regular ventilation, moisture and mold can quickly form in a home, which is why it is important to open the opposite windows during peak ventilation times. It is also best to air bedrooms immediately after getting up or before going to bed!
