We enter fully into the coldest months of the year and in which, therefore, we make greater use of heating. This leads to a rise in the gas or electricity bill in most Spanish homes and, Although this rise is inevitable, there are different tricks when it comes to putting the heating on or adapting our house in winter so that the rise is not excessive And that does not mean being cold.
1.- Proper bleeding of the radiators
If the heating system in our home is with radiators it is need to purge every season, that is, we must make the air that has accumulated during the time in which they have not been used to come out completely. If we do not purge, it is possible that the heating does not work properly (for example, a symptom is that the upper part is colder than the lower part of the radiator) so we end up raising the thermostat with the consequent higher energy consumption.
2.- Optimal temperature
Experts Recommend keep the temperature at home at about 21 degrees during the day, enough to heat the house and be comfortable. Of course, we dress appropriately because it is not logical to go in short sleeves if with this we are forced to raise the temperature to more degrees than recommended.
On the other hand, we must avoid the very common mistake of getting home and turning the heating on to heat up faster. It is proven that the house only heats up a little earlier but, on the other hand, the cost of heating skyrockets.
3.- Good use of the thermostat
In addition to controlling the average temperature, experts also recommend that we turn off the heating at night and turn it on again in the morning, once we have ventilated the rooms. And if we are not going to be at home all day, leave the thermostat on, but at a temperature of about 16 degrees. We will avoid finding the house too cold and, at the same time, an excessive energy expenditure that is later reflected in the bill.
4.- Optimal insulation
Studies indicate that poor insulation and consequent heat leaks cause heating consumption to increase by 30%. Therefore, it is appropriate to check the insulation of windows and exterior doors in addition to checking that they close properly. In this sense, the use of curtains on windows and balconies at home is an effective method to retain heat.
In addition, on the issue of leaks, the front door deserves special attention since the contrast of the temperature difference between a house and the outside generates an air current that makes heat escape more easily. To avoid this, it is advisable to place a weatherstrip that covers the gap between the floor and the door (a carpet or a mat can also be useful).
5.- A contract tailored to our home
Finally, an error that can cause excessive spending is related to the contracted power in the case of electric heating. The contracted power is the fixed part of the electricity bill that we pay, even if there is no consumption. It is calculated in kW, it is determined by sections and corresponds to the maximum power that we can use at a given moment without the leads jumping. Being a fixed part, If we can reduce the contracted power because it is higher than what we really need, it will result in savings on the bill regardless of what we consume.
