Saving more by heating less. The surprising cost of overusing your radiator
We tend to feel the effects of the outside temperature during winter evenings. During the day, the sun's rays warm up our rooms, but the temperature inside our homes inevitably drops at night. Most of us heat our homes and then switch off the radiators when going to sleep to save energy. However, the reality is that this could lead to greater losses than savings.
1:18 PM EST, January 10, 2024
What should the radiator setting be at night?
If radiators are switched off all night, they cool down quickly, causing interior apartment temperatures to plunge several degrees. Waking up to a cold bedroom prompts us to turn the heat back on throughout the home quickly. Regrettably, re-heating the radiator from its cooled state consumes significantly more energy than if it were left on overnight at a low setting.
Thus, it is not sensible to turn radiators off completely for the night. The perceived savings will soon be negated when the same or even higher heating bill arrives at the end of the month. A better approach is to reduce the heating setting and proceed to sleep, ensuring that the room still retains a pleasant temperature. With this method, we avert a cold shock upon waking, and the home maintains appropriate temperatures. If you still feel cold, you can raise the heating slightly, and your rooms will warm up much faster, also incurring lower costs.
What do the numbers on a radiator indicate?
Radiators come with two types of temperature regulation - a thermostat and a knob with degree settings. The thermostat can be set to the desired temperature throughout the apartment. The knob, meanwhile, features a scale with five degrees, with each number indicating a specific temperature range.
- 1 — corresponds to 55-57 degrees Fahrenheit,
- 2 — measures 59-63 degrees Fahrenheit,
- 3 — indicates 64-68 degrees Fahrenheit,
- 4 — registers 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit,
- 5 — is the maximum power setting of the radiator.
For the night, it is best to use settings one or two, which consume less energy, yet still ensure a comfortable apartment temperature. Those who love warmth can adjust the knob to setting three, but remember, optimal bedroom temperature should not exceed 68 degrees Fahrenheit. As per scientific research, cooler conditions promote better sleep quality. Of course, we are talking about positive temperatures here, and not extremely low temperatures that could disrupt peaceful sleep.
