How to save on heating bills: Master your radiator settings
We'll soon be turning on the heating. It's no secret that electricity bills can strain our budgets. One simple change can immediately reduce these bills. Even before the heating season, let's pay attention to the knobs on our radiators.
2:43 PM EDT, September 27, 2024
The radiators in our homes are equipped with thermostats. The knobs have numbers, usually from 0 to 5. It's also worth knowing that the thermostatic valve itself reacts to changes in the room's temperature. This valve is located on the pipe that supplies water to the radiator, and its job is to regulate the flow of the liquid. The valve opens and closes depending on the temperature.
What does this mean exactly? The thermostat activates the moment it detects a drop in temperature, allowing hot water into the radiator to balance the temperature difference. So, what should we know about the numbers on the knob?
Do you know what they mean? It's not obvious to everyone
The lowest value on the thermostat is 0. It's important to note that this does not mean the thermostatic valve is closed. The purpose of this mode is to prevent the water from freezing, maintaining a constant temperature of 43-46°F. The number 1 causes the water in the radiator to be 54-55°F. Next, number 2 means the heat will stay between 59 and 61°F. Number 3 raises the water in the thermostat to 64-68°F, while number 4 ranges from 72 to 75°F. The last number, 5, is a mode not recommended for everyday use, where the temperature rises to 77-82°F.
Want to avoid high bills? Be aware of this
The temperature in rooms should not be too high. Intense heating will also make us pay more for heating. It is best to set the thermostat to three; 68°F in the room is optimal for normal functioning. At night, switch the heating to two. You will see that it's much better to sleep in a slightly cooler room than in an overheated one.
It's very important to ensure proper ventilation of the apartment or house during the heating season. In the fall and winter months, it's best to ventilate the rooms briefly but often—this way, the heat won't "escape" from the inside.
