Posted on Nov 27, 2023 at 8:01 pm by Emma V
Mastering heating consumption is an essential subject, not only for your comfort at home, but also for your wallet.
In a context where energy prices continue to rise, it becomes crucial to understand how to optimize the use of your heating system. Whether it’s adjusting the thermostat properly, regularly maintaining your equipment, or avoiding unnecessary heat loss, each piece of advice will bring you closer to smarter and more economical consumption.
Table of Contents
1. Ignore the insulation of your home
Poor insulation is one of the main causes of heat loss. To avoid this, make sure you have effective insulation in your walls, ceilings, and floors.
2. Neglect the maintenance of your heating system
Regular maintenance helps optimize the performance of your heating system and extend its lifespan. So, make sure to:
- Check the filters
- Clean the ducts
- Have an annual check-up by a professional
3. Unnecessarily overheat your rooms
Maintaining a too high temperature in your home significantly increases your energy consumption. Instead, try to regulate the temperature according to actual needs:
- 19°C in living rooms
- 16°C in bedrooms and the kitchen
Remember that lowering the temperature by just one degree can save you up to 7% on your bill!
4. Leave appliances on standby or continuously turned on
These appliances consume energy even when they are not being used. Turn them off or use power strips with switches to easily cut off their power supply.
5. Not taking advantage of the natural heat from the sun
Open your shutters and curtains during the day to benefit from the free heat of the sun, and close them in the evening to retain this heat inside.
6. Obstruct radiators with furniture or objects
This prevents proper heat diffusion and forces your heating system to consume more energy. Make sure to clear the space around your radiators.
7. Not using a thermostat or temperature regulator
These devices allow you to precisely control the temperature in your home and adjust the operation of your heating system according to your needs.
Invest in a programmable thermostat for even more savings!
8. Forget to bleed the radiators
It is essential to bleed your radiators once a year to release trapped air and ensure optimal operation.
9. Neglect seals and air passages
Regularly check the seals of windows, doors, ducts, and other elements that may create cold air leaks or infiltrations.
10. Leave the heating on when you are away
Lower the temperature when you are absent or at night, this can save you up to 20% on your bill.
11. Not properly ventilating your home
Good ventilation allows for air renewal and prevents moisture problems that can degrade insulation and increase your heating consumption.
12. Using energy-intensive auxiliary heating devices
These devices can be useful occasionally, but their regular use can significantly increase your bill. Choose low-consumption models instead.
13. Choosing a heating system that is not suitable for your needs
Be sure to carefully study the different available options (boiler, heat pump, wood stove…) and their energy performance before making your choice.
Don’t hesitate to seek advice from a professional!
14. Not taking advantage of financial assistance to improve your heating
Find out about subsidies, tax credits, or eco-loans available to finance your energy improvement work.
15. Ignoring the advice of industry professionals
Call on an expert to conduct an energy assessment of your home and advise you on the best solutions to reduce your heating consumption.
16. Not adapting your consumption habits
Learn to better manage your heating on a daily basis by adopting simple and energy-efficient habits: close the doors of unoccupied rooms, avoid drafts, etc.
17. Underestimating the importance of proper attic insulation
Attics account for about 30% of heat loss in a house. Don’t forget to properly insulate them to maximize your savings.
18. Overlooking the possibility of using renewable energy sources
Heating systems that use renewable energy sources (solar, geothermal, biomass…) can be an interesting solution to reduce your consumption and your bill.
19. Not considering improving the airtightness of your home
Addressing air leaks and improving airtightness can reduce thermal losses and result in substantial savings on heating.
20. Settling for an old and inefficient heating system
Technologies have advanced significantly in recent years. Replacing an outdated and inefficient heating system with a newer and more efficient model can lead to significant savings.
