Heating costs money, and this year the energy crisis and rising inflation have made us particularly aware of this. Now that the leaves on the trees have turned from green to yellow and winter is not far away, you have probably already thought about heating costs. But are there alternatives? How can you keep your home warm without exploding costs? In this article, you’ll find 16 tips for cost-effective heating. Let’s go.
In Germany, there is a general guideline that states that heating should be used from an outside temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. This is known as the heating limit. If it is too cold in the building for too long, there is a risk of mold growth. You can find out more about the dangers of damp and mold in this article. This can be fatal, especially on thermal bridges or very cold surfaces.[1] Of course, this guideline value depends on the condition of the building and its thermal insulation, but it is generally a good guide for you. So please note: Saving on heating costs is good, but below 15 degrees it not only becomes uncomfortable, it can also have lasting consequences for your home.
Now let’s move on to the 16 practical tips for cost-effective heating
- What do I wear? You may remember this from your last skiing vacation – you spend a lot of time in the fresh air, you are active, your body warms up and you feel warm despite the cold ambient air. But as soon as you sit motionless in one place for any length of time, the cold and moisture seep through your clothes and cool you down. To prevent this from happening, we recommend thermal underwear. It may not sound sexy, but it keeps you warm and cozy.
- DIY: Build yourself a tea light heater. The two terracotta pots placed on top of each other concentrate the heat inside the pots. This converts the convection heat from the tea lights into a pleasant radiant heat. You can find instructions and the necessary materials here.
- Planning a casserole or putting a pizza in the oven? Then use the residual heat and leave the oven door open afterwards. This way you heat your kitchen and don’t waste energy.
- Do you have blinds on your windows? Wonderful! Because blinds and shutters prevent the heat from escaping through the window panes and the cold from cooling the room. We humans are very sensitive to cold surfaces and draughts. If you sit next to a window or a glass door, the feeling of cold is greater – even if the room temperature is fine.
- Hang curtains made of thick fabric in front of the windows. This not only creates a cozy atmosphere, but also protects the rooms from cooling down.
- Insulate windows and doors. Use special seals and/or draught excluders.
- Thick socks, woolen sweaters and a cozy blanket make for a comfortable feeling.
- Do you have a tiled or plank floor? Then why not lay down rugs? These will prevent the cold from rising from below and stop your feet getting cold. Tip: Place cork mats under the carpets. This not only increases walking comfort, but also increases thermal insulation.
- Small but mighty: set up candles . These create a cozy ambience and not only that – because a good quality tea light can generate up to 100 watts of heat.
- Close your doors to prevent the cold air from spreading to all rooms.
- Get the good old hot water bottle out of the cupboard again or use a grain pillow.
- Sharing warmth is the best thing. Whether it’s with your pet or your partner – cuddle up together and you’ll feel warm again. Many people now have more contact with their smartphone screen than with another person’s skin. Yet we humans long for real touch. [2]
- Drink hot drinks, because warm drinks warm you up from the inside and increase your sense of well-being.
- Get moving! Exercise stimulates your circulation, lifts your spirits and warms you up.
- It may sound paradoxical, but it is particularly important in the cold months to prevent mold growth: ventilate your home. Shock ventilation exchanges the old air with fresh air. Permanently tilted windows cool the rooms. You can find out more about this topic in this article.
- Use an infrared heater. Our floor-standing appliances can be easily moved to the position where you want it to be warm. This allows you to heat efficiently and cost-effectively according to your needs.
As you can see, there are numerous cost-effective ways to warm up your home. Some things require a rethink and a longer process until they are internalized. But maybe there’s something for you too.
Conclusion
It is often small measures that together make a big difference. Just two degrees less can make a huge difference to your heating bill. A nice side effect: the environment will also thank you.
Even if we are all groaning under the rising costs and many people don’t know how to finance everything, in the end it’s about fundamentally saving our resources and actively rethinking for the future. After all, Germany has already used up its resources for this year in May. We are currently living at the expense of other countries and future generations. We are using nature three times faster than ecosystems can regenerate. This has dramatic consequences and cannot continue indefinitely. [3]
Want to know more?
We are delighted if you enjoyed our article. There are many more exciting topics to discover. Take a look at our tips and tricks for your home office. Or are you interested in our new fall collection with lots of beautiful autumnal motifs? You can regularly find more articles on our blog. If you have any further questions, our friendly customer service team will be happy to help you – by phone, email or chat. We look forward to hearing from you.
