Correct heating and ventilation - that's how it works
Correct heating and ventilation is particularly important in the winter months in order to achieve a comfortable temperature at home and in the office, thereby saving energy and costs. We explain how to do it.
Heating properly: It is important to know the basics
To properly heat the apartment, you need to know how the heated air migrates and how it is created. The key points here are, for example, heat transfer.
- There are 3 types of heat transfer: a) convection, i.e. heat is carried by the air flow, as with the fan of the vehicle heater, b) radiation, ie electromagnetic waves, such as the heat rays from the sun, and c) heat conduction through solids, as with the teaspoon in hot water.
- The most common types of heating in the home are radiators or sectional radiators with fins, flat radiators and convectors. In all three, the convection component is larger than the radiation component.
- Flat radiators emit large amounts of radiation, convectors give off their heat primarily by convection. Fan heaters have an indisputable energy balance and should only be used in exceptional cases.
- To put it simply, heaters function like a cycle: warm air rises, the ceiling cools down and the cold air directly above the floor flows to the heater to take up the space freed up by the rising hot air.
- With conventional thermostatic valves, level 2 corresponds to approx. 16 °, 3 approx. 20 ° and 4 approx. 24 ° C.
How to heat properly
You can heat properly with the following measures. You can find further useful tips in the following picture gallery.
- Heat continuously instead of intermittently. The thermostat ensures that the heating stops heating from the desired temperature. If that doesn't work properly, we'll show you how to replace the thermostat.
- Optimal temperatures for the apartment: the living room approx. 20 to 23 ° C, in the bedroom 17 ° C is sufficient, in the office 22 ° C is good, in the kitchen and hallway you do not need to actively heat. You can find more tips for an optimal room temperature here.
- If you are away for six or more hours, you can regulate the temperature down to 15-16 °. This saves you energy and you can quickly set your comfort temperature again when you arrive.
- A rule of thumb says: Every degree less saves about six percent energy. Just never let the temperature drop below 15 ° C.
- At night, external roller shutters help to lose as little heat as possible from the surroundings.
- Generally, do not heat with the windows open. Instead, turn off all the heaters twice a day while ventilating. We have put together even more tips for proper ventilation here.
- Allow the air flow within the room to run as freely as possible. Do not hang or place anything in front of or over your radiator.
- Leave your roller shutters up and curtains open during the day: even in winter, sun rays can bring a lot of warmth into your room.
- Keep doors closed and as tight as possible: foam seals or the good old door dachshund reduce drafts through internal doors and entrance door brushes reduce heat loss in the stairwell and the outside world.
- Bleed your radiator regularly to maintain optimal efficiency. This practical tip explains how it works.
- In a brochure, the consumer advice center provides further tips on correct heating and ventilation.
In order to save unnecessary costs, you should also regularly compare electricity providers and gas prices. What you can also do when your heating does not get warm and how you can control your heating via smartphone can be found in other CHIP online practical tips.
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Optimally, the inlet and outlet are separate, with the inlet at the top and the outlet at the bottom.
In old buildings in particular, heating systems are still buried or in a housing box. These should at least have openings at the front to allow cold air to flow in
There should also be openings at the top so that warm air can rise freely.
The temperature sensor of the thermostat must be outside the housing, because the heat build-up inside can lead to high temperatures before the room is warmed up accordingly.
Do not obstruct airflow by placing towels over the radiator, pulling curtains over the heater, or placing furniture too close to or over the radiator.
Aluminum-coated styrofoam mats are particularly helpful on the outside walls: the air pockets in the styrofoam ensure poor heat conduction. The aluminum coating reflects a large part of the heat radiation. However, since the heating output is primarily caused by convection, the effect of this measure is limited.
Heaters are designed for the room sizes in which they are located. So close all doors so that the heating does not have to heat neighboring rooms, hallways and stairwells. Door floor seals, draft stops and door dachshunds prevent heat loss.
Check the temperature and humidity in your rooms. Avoid temperatures below 15 ° C and only allow short-term humidity above 60%.
In kitchens, refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers, and especially stoves, usually ensure sufficient temperatures.
