Adjust your windows for winter: Save on heating costs

Windows are one of the main reasons for heat loss in our apartments. Switching them to winter mode is an easy way to maintain a higher temperature at home and reduce heating costs. Simply adjust the screw in the window appropriately. Here's how to do it.

Heating in buildings should be turned on when the indoor temperature drops below 68 degrees Fahrenheit in rooms such as the living room, bedroom, hallway, kitchen, and office, or below 75 degrees Fahrenheit in bathrooms and toilets.

There is no specific date when the heating should be turned on. Most often, housing cooperatives decide on this.

To properly prepare for the winter season, it's worth using a simple trick. Switching windows from summer mode to winter mode allows for better adjustment of their tightness to weather conditions.

If you place your hand near the window and feel cold air, it's a sign that the windows are in summer mode. In winter mode, the seal is pressed more tightly against the window frame, minimizing airflow and protecting against cooling.

On one hand, such a change can reduce heating bills, but on the other hand, it can increase the risk of allergies and worsen ventilation in the room.

Modern PVC windows have a function to switch between summer and winter modes. To check which mode the window is in, simply locate the screw on the sash and assess its position relative to the seal. If the screw is set with the thicker side toward the seal, it indicates winter mode, while the thinner side symbolizes summer mode.

Switching the window to winter mode is quick. Step-by-step instructions can be found, for example, on the "Majster Amator" channel on YouTube.

To switch the window from summer to winter mode, turn the bolt 90°. The bolts can have different shapes, so a key, such as an Allen key, is often needed. However, this can usually be done using pliers or fingers.

In older windows, switching from summer to winter mode may be necessary at the top, middle, and bottom of the frame.

Another way to save heat in winter is to expose the radiators. Furniture and curtains often cover the radiators, obstructing the flow of heat, which forces stronger heating of the apartment and generates additional costs.