Due to sharply increased energy prices: Experts warn urgently: These 6 heating errors can now become really expensive

In order to reduce expensive heating costs, more and more consumers are saving energy. But even with perfectly adjusted heating and optimal insulation, heating errors can ruin this goal. The Central Association for Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning shows the most expensive heating errors and how they can be avoided.

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The sharp rise in energy prices means that saving heating costs is a must for many people. According to the Central Association for Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning, consumers should not only plan for the short term, but also consider long-term savings according to the advice of the experts:

“Have comprehensive maintenance – including cleaning – of the heat generator to optimize efficiency (exhaust gas temperature, radiation losses, etc.) and – if not previously documented – carry out a hydraulic adjustment in the existing heating system. Up to 15 percent savings are possible. Specialist companies will advise you on sensible modernization measures.”

Also note that a heating check is now mandatory. There are also subsidies for many modernization measures. But what can you do when the heating is optimally adjusted and the house is well insulated? Avoid the following 6 heating mistakes at all costs.

Mistake 1: Constantly heating up and cooling down

The error: As soon as you leave the house, always turn off the heating completely. After all, you save the most energy and money when the heating is not running, at least that is the assumption.

Expert assessment: As a rule, the better strategy is to keep the room temperature fairly constant during the day and only lower it at night. There is a risk that the rooms will cool down too much, especially on really cold days. This also promotes mold growth. According to the experts, the constant alternation between heating up and cooling down is one of the most expensive heating errors.

Expert advice: If you go to the bakery for a short time, leave the heating settings as they are. If you are not at home at all during the day, you do not necessarily have to keep your comfortable temperature in the living rooms. So you can turn down the radiators, with 17 to 18 degrees Celsius (regulator between 2 and 3) you are on the safe side, with less the risk of mold increases.

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Energy has never been as expensive as it is now. But instead of panicking, you should calmly check potential savings at home. As our guide shows, there are many of them.

Mistake 2: Heater turned up all the way

The error: When the weather changes in autumn or particularly cold days come in winter, the heating is turned up to the max. After all, it is assumed that rooms at level 5 warm up faster than at level 3.

Expert assessment: The apartment does not get warmer faster if you set the radiator to a higher level. With smart controllers, you can set the temperature in degrees. In fact, the numbers on the classic controllers stand for a temperature range. If the setting is correct, you can reach around 20 degrees Celsius with level 3 and 28 degrees with level 5. So there is a risk of overheating your rooms.

Expert advice: Find your comfort temperature for certain rooms and set the radiators accordingly. Good guidelines are, for example, 20 degrees in the living room and 18 in in the kitchen, but in the bathroom it can be a bit more, you can test 22 degrees. Rooms that are rarely used should only be heated to a sufficient temperature, i.e. 17 to 18 degrees, so that mold doesn’t stand a chance here either.

Mistake 3: Radiators turned up when airing out for a long time

The error: You open all the windows in the apartment and really ventilate your apartment for a longer period of time. But the radiators remain turned on, because by the time you’ve closed all the valves, the ventilation is over, at least that’s what it feels like. Another error variant: You leave windows in the tilted position for several hours and the heating runs at the same time.

Expert assessment: Ventilating for five minutes is generally better than keeping the window open for a long time, and the experts explain that you don’t necessarily have to turn off the radiators. For longer periods of ventilation, however, it is better to turn off the radiators, otherwise you will also heat up your garden.

Expert advice: This matter can be tackled conveniently with smart home technology. Sensors detect open windows and automatically turn off the valves on the radiators. When the windows are closed again, the valves open again.

CHIP – Saving electricity made easy – PDF

Energy has never been as expensive as it is now. But instead of panicking, you should calmly check potential savings at home. As our guide shows, there are many of them.

Error 4: Delivered radiator

The error: The new sofa doesn’t fit perfectly in the corner, but covers the radiator, or you try to cover up the not-so-appealing radiator niches with curtains or smart little shelves.

Expert assessment: Even if the radiator is not as chic as the designer sofa, putting it in place prevents the heated air from being distributed in the room.

Expert advice: Keep your radiators clear.

Mistake 5: Heating as usual despite a longer absence

The error: 20 degrees in the living room, 22 degrees in the bathroom, you always have these temperatures, even if you are on Christmas vacation for two weeks.

Expert assessment: If you are going away for several days, you should permanently lower the temperature to 17°C, for example. Lowering further can be problematic. There is a risk of mold again if rooms cool down too much. In wintry temperatures, you have to plan about a day to reheat the cold walls until it becomes comfortable again.

Expert advice: General temperature settings for a longer absence should be made on the boiler’s central control unit. There is often even a separate holiday mode for this, in which the temperature is kept in the optimal range. You shouldn’t turn it down below 17 to 18 degrees.

Mistake 6: Open doors

The error: Each room is heated as desired, but all doors remain open. The idea here is often that you can simply heat the hallway, for example.

Expert assessment: Warm air disperses. If you have 20 degrees in the living room and the door to the bedroom or other less heated room is open, the heat will escape.

Expert advice: It is better to keep room doors closed, then you have the right temperature everywhere.