How to save heat this winter (without freezing)

The drop in temperatures forces us, one more year, to turn on the heating from time to time. And that usually translates into an increase in household expenses, since according to data from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), heating represents about 47% of the energy bill.

In fact, according to data from the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), each Spanish household spends, on average, about 600 euros a year on heating. A figure that in itself is not negligible, which could be even higher if energy prices skyrocket as they have been doing in recent months. That is why it is convenient to take into account some advice offered by IDAE and the OCU to reduce consumption and, of course, save on the energy bill.

Start up

Checking the radiators before winter begins is one of the main measures that can be carried out to improve the performance and energy efficiency of the heating installation. It is as simple as opening the keys to all the radiators and checking that the water circulates normally. If the radiator does not work or makes strange noises, it is most likely that air bubbles have accumulated, preventing the passage of heat. That is why it is advisable to bleed them (with the system off and the radiator cold) to remove all the air.

Missing this simple step can play tricks on us, since, when a radiator does not heat, the thermostat does not jump, but the boiler continues to work and try to reach the indicated temperature. That only makes the boiler work twice as hard and we spend more energy. For this same reason it is not advisable to place wet clothes on top of the radiators: although they will surely dry faster, it will make it difficult for the correct diffusion of hot air throughout the house and increase consumption.

Once the purging of the radiators has been completed, the boiler water pressure must be checked, which, as a general rule, should range between 1 and 1.5 bars. If the figure – which is indicated in the green zone of the manometer – is above, the energy consumption could increase considerably, and if it is below, the boiler will surely not work.

HYD: Here's How To Calculate Your True Taxable-Equivalent Yield http://t.co/oigWO4tiMh

— bonds_newsnow Wed Jun 26 16:08:18 +0000 2013

Maintain the right temperature

That it is cold in winter is an obvious thing that sometimes seems difficult for us to accept. And it is that putting on the heating does not mean that it has to look like summer inside the house. At least we must avoid reaching high temperatures (25ºC is already excessive) if we do not want to have extra expense and contribute to energy waste. From IDAE they advise to adjust the thermostat to 20-21ºC during the hours of the day that we are at home and to wear warm clothes.

At night, the most efficient thing is to turn it off: "When you are in bed wrapped up, 15-17ºC is enough to sleep comfortably, so it is not necessary to leave the heating on", they point out from the Institute. In this way, savings of up to 25% in consumption can be achieved, since, for each degree in which the temperature of a house increases, energy consumption increases by 7%, as do carbon dioxide emissions. carbon (CO2). Placing thermostatic valves on radiators is a good way to keep track of temperature.

improve insulation

The insulation of the windows is also key when it comes to saving on heating. Luckily, there are little habits that help prevent heat from escaping. One of them consists of lowering the blinds at night and drawing the curtains to avoid the cold that the crystals give off. And it is that, as indicated by IDAE, between 25% and 30% of our heating needs are due to heat losses that originate in the windows.

There are also other ways to improve insulation through decoration. For example, you can use dark-colored rugs or curtains that absorb solar radiation and help maintain heat, or cover the walls with pictures or shelves. And this is not a joke: it is estimated that the temperature of a wall where something is hanging can be 1.5ºC higher than that of a bare wall.

What if I have electric heating?

All these saving tips also serve for those homes where there are electric radiators. If you are a user covered by the regulated tariff (PVPC), you can always install timers that allow you to program the heating on at the cheapest times –off-peak hours–, according to the hourly discrimination sections.

However, as José María Yusta, a professor at the University of Zaragoza and an expert in the energy market, explained to FORBES, today – and until there is a readjustment – ​​the effects of this measure could be practically imperceptible. The reason? That the prices of energy in the generation market are skyrocketing in such a way that the weight of the access tariffs that are determined by those time slots is very low.