We feel the first frosts of autumn arriving, and quite naturally, we turn on the heating. Advice from Fanny Guinochet.
Heating is a major expense each year. When it’s time to turn on the boilers and stoves again, a quick inventory of the heating bill in winter. And there are steps to follow to reduce costs…
franceinfo: What are these actions that allow us not to pay too much for heating?
Fanny Guinochet: There are things to do without leaving your comfort; Obviously, the idea is not to freeze, but firstly, don’t put anything near your radiators, a piece of furniture in front of it that would block the heat for example. And before restarting the heating, check the maintenance. Purge and clean your radiators every year to avoid excessive energy consumption.
Heating is the biggest contributor to your energy bill. Moreover, if your heaters are too old, or if you are carrying out work, it may be time to opt for different, more economical and ecological heating systems, such as heat pumps, wood stoves. , there is state aid, find out more.
In the meantime, shouldn’t it be too hot?
Yes, if you can, if you are not in accommodation with collective heating, regulate the temperature: 19/20 is the ideal temperature in the living rooms, 17 in the bedrooms. Note that lowering just one small degree saves between 7% and 10% of energy. Be careful, you should not completely turn off the heating. If you are away for several days, maintain 12 degrees to prevent the pipes from freezing.
To help you modulate, there are heat regulators and thermostats. Also remember to contact your supplier, Engie, EDF, etc. Most have free services to help you optimize your heating method, depending on your home, the composition of the family, your habits.
It is also necessary to avoid heat loss…
Yes, then, it all depends on the type of accommodation you live in, but try as much as possible to seal doors and windows as much as possible. Its not always easy. But we can take care of loose joints and install insulation at the bottom of the doors. Otherwise, a simple tip: close the shutters, curtains, blinds when you are not there, this keeps the heat at more than 60%.
On the other hand, don’t forget to ventilate your apartment or house every day to renew the air for 5 to 10 minutes, this helps eliminate the humidity which accentuates the feeling of cold.