Proper heating
A full third of energy consumption in Germany goes toward heating, which means there is particular opportunity for savings in this area as well. Saving depends on having the right heating system, but also on using it the right way.
Older heating systems frequently use 30 to 40 percent more energy than their more recent successors. Because the savings are so great, it is often worthwhile to replace systems that are even just 15 years old with more energy-efficient models. Simply replacing an old gas or oil boiler with a modern condensing boiler substantially cuts costs.
But technology in itself is not the only thing that counts – using it thoughtfully can also save a considerable amount of energy. The tips below can help you save a sizeable amount of energy, and thus costs, without having to go without the comfort you are accustomed to enjoying.
1. Turning down the interior temperature just one degree can already save you up to six percent on your heating bill.
| Room | Recommended temperature |
| Bedroom | 16 - 18 °C, at night: 16 °C |
| Stairways, hallways, entryways | 14 - 15 °C, at night: 14 °C |
| Kitchen | 18 °C, at night: 14 °C |
| Dining room, living room, children’s rooms | 20 °C, at night: 14 °C |
| Bathroom | 23 °C, at night: 14 °C |
2. Modern systems that use temperature sensors or thermostats to automatically maintain the desired temperature also save energy.
3. Heaters should never be blocked by furniture, otherwise they cannot emit heat efficiently throughout the space. In many cases, it is also a good idea to install additional insulation on the wall behind the heater.
4. If your heater makes a gurgling or spluttering noise, there is air inside it. The result: It cannot produce heat as effectively and consumes more energy than necessary. To solve the problem, you can use a special ventilation key to let the air out of any heating unit.
5. Electric fan heaters are real energy gluttons, which also makes them costly. After all, electricity costs more than three times as much as gas.
6. Hot water should be kept at temperatures below 60 °C. All hot water pipes in the basement should be appropriately heat-insulated in order to prevent heat loss.
7. Close rolling blinds or shutters and curtains at night so that less heat is lost through the windows. You can also install heat insulation on the blinds or shutters themselves.
8. Close doors to rooms that are heated less. At the same time, however, be sure that rooms that are used less are not allowed to cool down completely because they will lower the temperature of adjacent rooms as well.
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