Heating and ventilating correctly in winter
Save heating costs with proper ventilation
Nationwide measures are intended to reduce electricity and heating costs in public buildings, for example by only heating rooms to 19°C.
Do we now have to freeze at home too in order to save on heating costs for the winter?
Fortunately, no! – If you ventilate and heat your home properly, you don’t have to freeze and can still save money and protect the environment. We provide you with valuable tips on how to ventilate your flat or house in an energy-efficient manner and thus save on heating costs.
Why is ventilation important in winter?Ventilating to prevent mould
Regular ventilation is also essential in winter for a healthy living environment and to prevent mould. Both moisture and pollutants such as dust particles or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) accumulate during the day and would be harmful to health without regular air exchange. Moisture damage caused by mould growth is also a consequence of inadequate ventilation. To ensure that you can still achieve your comfortable temperature in winter while saving costs, you need to strike the right balance between ventilation and heating.
Did you know?
Heating 1°C less means approx. 5% savings on heating costs.
How do you ventilate properly in winter?How to save heating costs by heating and ventilating correctly
Ventilate thoroughly instead of tilting windows
Open the window fully in one room and close the door. This allows the air to circulate within the room and ensures optimal air exchange. Avoid leaving the window tilted open for long periods of time, as this causes the walls to cool down and makes them more susceptible to mould growth. Important: Lower the temperature of the heating when ventilating!
Cross ventilation
Open the windows in several rooms (preferably opposite rooms) and open all doors. This allows air to circulate between several rooms. You can also create cross ventilation by tilting windows, provided you pay attention to the duration. Important: Always lower the temperature of the heating!
Regular ventilation
If you are out all day, it is sufficient to air your home in the morning and evening. Otherwise, for hygiene reasons, it is recommended that you completely replace the air at least three to four times a day. In the kitchen and bathroom, you should always ventilate when large amounts of water vapour have been produced – for example, after cooking or bathing.
Did you know?
After ventilation, the walls and objects release the stored heat back into the room. The fresh air contains less moisture and therefore warms up more quickly.
Proper ventilation in every season
Winter
If you are out all day, it is sufficient to air the apartment in the morning and in the evening. Otherwise, for hygienic reasons, it is recommended to completely exchange the air at least three to four times a day. You should always ventilate the kitchen and bathroom when large amounts of water vapor have formed – zum Example after cooking or bathing.
Spring & Autumn
Air 4 times a day for about 10 minutes
Summer
Air in the morning and evening for 25 minutes
How can I heat my home properly in winter?
What is the optimal room temperature for saving heating costs?
Just 1°C less saves approx. 5% in heating costs. Therefore, living spaces should be heated according to their purpose. In the hallway, bedroom and kitchen, 18°C is sufficient. At 20°C, the living area and study have the optimum temperature. In the children’s room and bathroom, it can be a little warmer at 22°C. Thermostats help you maintain the right temperature. Make sure that unused living spaces have a minimum temperature of 14°C and that the doors of heated rooms remain closed to prevent mould growth.
Overview: Ideal room temperature per room
Room | Temperature |
|---|---|
Hallway, bedroom, kitchen | 18°C |
Living area, study | 20°C |
Children’s room, bathroom | 22°C |
Unused rooms (minimum) | 14°C |
Why do you need clear radiators to reduce heating costs?
Do not place furniture in front of radiators so that the warm air can circulate freely throughout the room. Do not place wet clothes on the radiator either – it is better to dry your laundry on a clothes horse.
Bleed your radiators to remove any trapped air so that they can heat up to the set temperature more quickly. All you need is a radiator key, a container to catch the heating water and a cloth.
Bleed your radiators to remove any trapped air so that they can heat up to the set temperature more quickly. All you need is a radiator key, a container to catch the heating water and a cloth.
How do you bleed a radiator?
Turn up the heating
Set the heating to the highest setting so that the air rises into the radiator and collects at the top.
Locate valve
Find the bleed valve on the top of the radiator (usually a small screw with a slot or hole).
Position vessel
Hold the container or cloth under the valve to catch any heating water that may leak out.
Open valve
Slowly turn the vent valve anticlockwise using the radiator key. Air and a little water will escape.
Close valve
As soon as only water (without bubbling noises) comes out, close the valve again.
Why turn down the heating instead of switching it off?
Do not turn the heating off completely overnight or when you are away, as it is more expensive to reheat a cold room. It is better to maintain a lower average temperature of 16-18°C and turn the heating down.
Did you know?
Heating cost savings are easy on your wallet and environmentally friendly at the same time: with the right method, you can reduce CO₂ emissions.
Energy-efficient ventilation and lower heating costsWhy is a decentralised ventilation system with heat recovery worthwhile?
Avoid draughts
Unlike with open windows, decentralised ventilation provides a continuous exchange of air. This prevents strong draughts in the home.
Fresh air without cooling down the rooms
If windows are left open for too long or are permanently tilted, this causes the walls to cool down. As a result, more heating energy is required to warm up the rooms again. Ventilation with heat recovery guarantees fresh and warm air without cooling down the home.
Save on heating costs
Our decentralised ventilation system with heat recovery can save up to 1/3 of heating costs. When the indoor air is extracted, its heat is stored in the ceramic storage unit and transferred to the incoming fresh air. The heat remains in the building and reduces the load on the heating system.
Reduce electricity consumption
The Xenion fan requires only 0.15 W/(m³/h). Depending on the electricity provider and the utilisation of the ventilation units, the electricity costs amount to approximately £5-7 per year per ventilation unit.
Protect the environment
A ventilation system not only has low power consumption, but can also save up to 1/3 of heating costs. Resources are conserved, which reduces CO₂ emissions. The ventilation system is a fundamental step in the energy-efficient renovation of houses.
Decentralised ventilation systems with heat recovery ensure a continuous supply of fresh air indoors and, with the ceramic heat accumulator, can reuse up to 94% of the exhaust air heat. The ceramic core stores the heat from the indoor air when the stale air is exchanged and transfers it to the fresh air flowing in from outside. As a rule, the air in living spaces is completely replaced every 2 hours. The strength of the ventilation is adjusted to the individual needs of the occupants. This allows you to save up to 30% on heating costs!
This allows you to get fresh, warm air into your rooms without having to constantly open the windows.
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Frequently asked questions about ventilation and heating
Why does ventilation save heating costs?
Unlike permanently tilted windows, intermittent ventilation saves energy because opening the windows briefly and intensively allows for rapid air exchange without cooling down the walls and furniture. If, on the other hand, windows are permanently tilted, warm air escapes continuously, the heating has to constantly reheat and the surrounding walls cool down. This not only increases energy consumption, but also the humidity in the room. This is an ideal breeding ground for mould. Proper intermittent ventilation keeps the air in the room fresh, the building structure warm and the heating requirements significantly lower.
How can you save the most on heating costs in winter?
By striking a good balance between ventilation and heating. It is best to ventilate regularly rather than leaving the windows permanently tilted open. Furthermore, the heating should not be turned off completely at night and when you are away, but only turned down.
What happens if you don't heat your living space?
Mould can quickly form in rooms that are never properly heated. Open doors to heated rooms allow moisture to enter the permanently cold room, causing it to condense on the cold walls.
How often and for how long should I ventilate in winter?
It is usually sufficient to ventilate the room three to four times a day for about 3–5 minutes. It is important to turn down the heating briefly and turn it back up again after ventilating.
What role does humidity play in heating?
A balanced level of humidity (40–60 per cent) is important for health and for preserving the fabric of the building. Excessive humidity promotes mould growth, while air that is too dry irritates the mucous membranes. Proper heating and ventilation ensure the ideal balance.
How can I avoid moisture in winter?
Regularly airing rooms, heating correctly and keeping radiators clear help to prevent excessive moisture. Kitchens and bathrooms in particular should be aired immediately after use.
What is the ideal room temperature for heating in winter?
Depending on usage, different room temperatures are appropriate:
- Bedroom & hallway: 18 °C
- Living room & study: 20 °C
- Bathroom & children’s room: 22 °C
A consistent room temperature prevents moisture and saves up to 5% energy per degree.
Why is it important not to let unused rooms get cold?
Cold rooms promote moisture and mould growth. Therefore, keep unused rooms at a minimum temperature of 14 °C and keep the doors closed.
Our tip to save heating costs with ventilation:
At the federal level, individual measures such as ventilation with heat recovery for existing buildings can be funded within the framework of the BEG in Germany. Read more about it here:
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