Turn down the heating to avoid high energy costs - but be careful: there is a risk of mold above a certain value

Created: 10/11/2022 3:15 p.m

By: Ines Baur

Mold can form on outside walls and in corners near windows in winter.

© Catherine Waibel/dpa-tmn

Heating has become enormously expensive.

The simplest antidote to high additional payments is to lower the temperature.

But people shouldn't turn their heating down too low either.

Berlin - With just one degree lower room temperature, consumers can reduce their heating costs by up to six percent.

How does it then work if rooms are heated to even less degrees?

Does keeping the temperature low not only have a positive effect on the utility bill, but also on the living environment?

Save heating costs - 16 degrees room temperature or is even less?

A few degrees of fine-tuning of the heating system can make a difference of hundreds of euros in energy consumption.

In the living area, a temperature of 20 to 22 degrees Celsius is usually sufficient, writes the Federal Environment Agency.

Around 18 degrees are sufficient in the kitchen and 17 to 18 degrees Celsius in the bedroom.

In less used rooms, 16 degrees is sufficient.

But no less, otherwise there is a risk of mold formation in the long term, warns the Federal Environment Agency.

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Mold growth - Don't overdo it by turning down the heat

16 degrees room temperature, but people shouldn't turn their radiators down any lower.

At even lower temperatures, the risk of mold increases.

Mold can form on cold wall surfaces.

If you have cold outside walls in your old building, you should place furniture a few centimeters away from the wall so that the air can circulate.

Moisture quickly collects on cold walls.

In the worst case, this favors the growth and thriving of harmful mold and bacteria.

As a result, symptoms of irritation or allergic reactions can occur in the respiratory tract of the residents.

Furthermore, moisture can permanently damage the masonry.

In general, an appropriate temperature plus regular ventilation are the best ways to prevent mold.

Heating and ventilation are tenants' obligations

In addition to regular rent and ancillary cost payments, tenants have a duty of care with regard to the rented apartment.

You must ensure that the rental apartment is used in accordance with the contract.

Therefore, moisture damage such as mold growth should be avoided.

Apartment owners keep reminding their tenants of their obligation to ventilate rooms properly.

They often include a leaflet with the rental agreement.