How to lower your heating bills

The level of warmth in a flat depends on many factors. The most important is, of course, the way the property is heated. Most flats have central heating included in the service charge, but here too there are limits which, if exceeded, will result in an additional charge at the end of the year, the amount of which can reach as much as several hundred PLN. It is a different situation when the flat has gas or electric heating. Then we receive regular bills and can keep them in check as we go. Regardless of how your property is heated, there are always steps you can take to lower heating costs. Don't know how? Be sure to read today's article.

Beware of escaping heat

The type of thermal insulation of a building is something we have little influence over. Fortunately, more and more buildings are being given additional insulation. However, heat escapes not only through the walls or roof, but also through doors and windows, and here we can do a lot ourselves, at little cost. It is enough to replace the old seals with new ones, both on the windows and on the front door, and also on the doors to the rooms, so that heat stays in the rooms for longer. More warmth in the flat means less need for heating, which in turn lowers the bills.

Go for good-quality windows

Sealing is of no use if the windows are simply old and protect poorly against the cold. So when it is really cold in the flat but the radiators are working perfectly, it is worth considering replacing the windows, especially if they have so far been old wooden ones. Their plastic equivalents are far more effective in terms of thermal insulation and will help retain 25 to 40% more heat in the rooms. These figures make a real difference.

Bleed your radiators

If your flat has radiators, air very often gets trapped in them. What are the signs? Above all, uneven distribution of heat across their surface or a radiator temperature that is too low. If this is happening in your home, you can be sure you are dealing with trapped air. Fortunately, bleeding a radiator is not difficult and practically anyone can do it themselves.

A more complex problem is a radiator clogged with limescale, which we are unlikely to be able to descale ourselves. For the job to go smoothly and effectively, it is best to hire a professional.

Proper circulation

For a flat to be properly heated, the air in it must circulate correctly. What good is it that a radiator heats as well as it can if we ourselves make it harder for it to warm the rooms? How does that happen? The main cause of poor circulation of heated air is boxing in the radiator, covering it with thick curtains or blocking it with furniture.

To do its job effectively, a radiator must be uncovered. It is also worth fixing aluminium foil to the wall behind the radiator. This simple trick will reflect heat back into the room and make it warm up faster.

Airing the flat

Not opening the windows is by no means an effective way of keeping a flat warm. In rooms that are not aired, more and more carbon dioxide accumulates instead of oxygen, which is not good for our health and wellbeing. In addition, the humidity level in the air rises, which can contribute to the growth of fungi and mould.

While in summer the way you air the flat matters little (windows are often open 24 hours a day because the radiators are not on), in the colder months you need to do it sensibly. It is best to air the flat quickly and intensively, with the radiators turned off. So let us open all the windows in the house for a moment, let the stale air be replaced by fresh, close the windows and only then turn the radiators back on. It is recommended to do this several times a day. That way the air indoors will always be fresh, but your heating bills will not go up.

Get a thermostat

It is worth keeping an eye on the temperature in the rooms. After all, the warmer it is, the higher the bills. Besides, rooms that are too warm are not good for our wellbeing either; they make us sluggish and more prone to catching colds. It is best to keep the temperature between 20 and 21 degrees in the kitchen and living room, 22 – 23 in the bathroom and 17 – 19 in the bedroom. A thermostat will help us make sure we do not exceed these values.

Turn down the radiators when you are away

If you plan to leave the flat empty, even for a weekend, it is worth turning the radiators down. Do not turn them off completely, but definitely reduce the heating level. This practice can significantly lower your heating bills.