Heating check: Ventilate, insulate, seal - simple tricks to save energy

Created: 09/05/2022, 22:55

By: Stella Henrich

Many heaters do not run efficiently.

Consumers who need to save money now should use simple tricks to save energy effectively.

Munich – If Robert Habeck had his way alone, a heating check for owners and landlords would certainly already be contractually binding.

But apparently the Green Minister of the traffic light coalition does not set the tone.

According to the previous plan, the check should be completed by the turn of the year 2023/24 at the latest.

There is still a lot of time until then.

Time that actually doesn't exist in view of the gas crisis and skyrocketing commodity prices.

Because millions of consumers are threatened with a heating cost shock in winter.

Nationwide, 444 basic suppliers have already announced price increases for October.

For a model household with a consumption of 20,000 kilowatt hours (kWh), this means additional costs of around 1262 euros per year.

So what are we still waiting for is something that the Economics Minister is certainly not the only one to think about.

The topic is also likely to burn under the nails of consumers in Germany.

Because many heaters do not work efficiently.

Everything speaks for modernization.

The next bill for gas threatens to be very expensive for millions of households.

(Iconic image) © Frank Hoermann / SVEN SIMON (imago

Heating check: Expert advice could quickly pay for itself

According to the Federal Association of the German Heating Industry, more than half of all heating systems do not work efficiently enough.

This applies above all to older systems, reports

.

So there is definitely potential for savings in existing systems.

Even if the check is still a long way off, according to the association it should be in the interest of owners and tenants to have the heating checked by experts for potential savings before the coming winter.

Such a heating check by specialist companies costs between 100 and 150 euros.

They test whether the heating is set correctly.

Because many a system also runs in winter during the summer months - a truly useless waste of resources.

The specialists also clean the plant's burners and boilers.

They determine whether a boiler is oversized, thermostatic valves are too old and heating pumps are not running properly.

This is followed by expert advice, which could quickly pay off.

According to Tagesschau.de, older systems in particular have an additional consumption of up to 30 percent compared to modern central heating systems.

Heating checks: 

Owners of gas heating systems should be obliged to check their heating systems.

Politicians are currently in talks with the Central Association for Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning (ZVSHK) about a possible implementation.

A binding hydraulic balance should also come, so that heating water is optimally distributed.

In buildings with a central heat supply, inefficient and/or uncontrolled heating pumps must be replaced - according to the plan by Economics Minister Robert Habecks.

Checking a gas heating system costs around 100 to 150 euros.

Heating check: Turn down the heating when you're away

Consumers can also help save on gas and oil.

"There is great potential for savings, for example, when heating," says Jutta Gurkmann from the consumer center of the Federal Association.

"One step less on the thermostat saves up to 20 percent energy".

However, the thermostats must be set correctly.

"Anyone who regulates their hot water from 60 to 45 degrees can save around a third," Gurkmann continues.

In addition, consumers should bleed their heating systems regularly, insulate radiator niches and heating pipes, seal windows, doors and shutters or switch off the circulation pumps when they are not needed.

You don't need a specialist for these measures.

These are all measures that you can carry out yourself, that cost little and can bring a lot.

And if you're not at home, you can turn down the heating to save energy.

Heating check: Good tips from consumer advocates

It is also simple but effective not to cover radiators with curtains or furniture.

Consumer advocates recommend opening windows only for quick airing instead of tilting them permanently.

In addition, consumers should ensure that the heating is set correctly.

With time control, up to 15 percent of energy can be saved - for example through lowering times during the night hours.