“In residences where it is possible to regulate the heating temperature,

Reducing the heater temperature by just one degree can reduce electricity consumption by up to 5%. And vice versa – if we want a warmer house, every degree of increase can increase electricity consumption by 5%.

Forgetting the first steps and an effective overall heating system, we often increase the temperature to feel more comfortable – perhaps such a high set temperature is not necessary if heat losses are avoided,” says the Electrum Energy Efficiency Center, “in every home, heat is lost, but a “There are different techniques to determine where the house is losing heat and how to stop it,” he said.

Visually inspect your home

One method of finding potential areas of heat loss is visual inspection –

Check both inside and outside for visible cracks and crevices. They are usually found where two different building materials meet, such as cladding, chimneys, outer corners, contact points.

Special attention should be paid to the exterior walls of the house, doors, windows and other open spaces. If there are visible damage, they should be repaired as soon as possible and make sure that not only visually, but also the thermal insulation or hermetic barriers are not damaged. In this case, you will have to wait for major repairs.

Does it fulfill the function of thermal insulation of the house?

Due to the Latvian winters, a house without thermal insulation is unthinkable. Walls, ceiling, floor are important places where heat can be lost the most. Uninsulated walls not only allow heat to enter the home easily, but also allow it to escape and are easy to detect. If the room heats up quickly in summer and it is difficult to sleep at night, and if you feel cold when you put your hand on the wall in winter, this is a sign of poor thermal insulation.

One of the visual warnings in winter is icicles, which indicate that the thermal insulation of the roof and attic needs improvement.

Roof insulation is one of the most effective heat saving measures.

Heat thieves – windows and doors

The next most popular place for heat loss is windows and doors, and these can be controlled by placing a paper strip between the window or door and its frame. If it can be easily pulled out, the heat flows out and the cold likewise easily flows in. How to deal with it?

It is possible to replace the rubber gaskets on the windows before considering a complete replacement of windows or doors.

(adjust the fittings for plastic windows) and stick a self-adhesive seal on the bottom of the door. If a window glass is cracked, it should not be ignored, it should be replaced.

Are the heating devices used correctly?

Improper use of heating appliances can contribute to heat loss, so be sure to use them correctly.

If a fireplace or stove is used for heating, do not forget to close the chimney damper, and the door frame of the fireplace or stove must be tightly closed even when the fire is not burning.

This is important because, just like windows and doors, the chimney is a pathway through which cold air can enter the room.

When using other heating appliances, attention should be paid to their position, for example they must not be covered or placed behind furniture. One of the most common mistakes is to draw curtains over radiators, blocking the air flow or the convection principle that allows hot air to heat the room. It turns out that the curtains in this case act as a heat insulator. It is recommended to turn it on during the day and turn it off in the evening so that the heat of the sun can enter the house.

If you can’t cope, consult a professional

The first step towards efficient heat exchange in the home would be to take into account all the recommendations mentioned above or take a look at the website esmuefektives.lv, where useful information about various energy efficiency solutions is gathered in one place.

If all recommendations for good heat exchange are followed and the desired result is still not achieved, it is recommended that you entrust a professional, especially for more extensive repairs.

Replacing a window or insulating the walls with your own hands is not always successful, especially if it is done for the first time. By inviting a specialist, you can identify specific places of heat loss and create an action plan for damage prevention.

The article was created in cooperation with the quiz “FIZMIX Experiment”.