Due to the low temperatures, the heating systems have been running at full blast in many places for weeks. Affected households have to reckon with high costs. FOCUS online tells you which cheap hardware store products you can now use to reduce heating costs.
Heating without restrictions? That is possible. In view of the rising energy prices for wood, oil, gas or electricity, consumers should do everything they can to not burn energy unnecessarily.
Hardware store products can help. FOCUS online says what they cost and where you get the products from.
Digital thermostats can help save on heating bills. Because they can adjust the room temperature precisely to the needs of the user and external factors. Consumers can already save energy with an unconnected device.
The advantage compared to analog devices: With digital thermostats, you can select the temperature in degrees precisely and record and control the room temperature much more precisely.
Simple devices are available from around 50 euros. From 75 euros you can even get digital thermostats that can be operated via Bluetooth on your smartphone. This makes it even easier to control the comfort temperature. However, their range is limited.
If you want to invest more money, you can even integrate additional components, such as wall thermostats or opening sensors, with significantly more expensive smart home systems.
In order to prevent heat from escaping through the wall, aluminum reflection panels should be attached behind all radiators on the outside walls, emphasizes the German DIY Academy.
DIY stores and specialist stores offer different materials for this purpose. They cost about 12 euros to 20 euros per square meter.
Bargains can also use classic aluminum foil. This is first fixed to a thin board or piece of cardboard to make it easier to insert behind the radiator. Finally, the cardboard or the board is cut in such a way that this insulation can be hung on the two radiator wall brackets without any problems.
Energy has never been as expensive as it is now. But instead of panicking, you should calmly check potential savings at home. As our guide shows, there are many of them.
To save on heating costs, you should check the windows. It must be checked whether the fittings close properly. If these are not correct, they should be adjusted. These measures are important:
For older windows that no longer close tightly even after readjustment, do-it-yourselfers use cheap sealing strips that are glued into the windows. They cost less than five euros per meter in hardware stores.
If there is a gap under the front door, special sealing strips with small brushes prevent energy-guzzling drafts. These are available in hardware stores and online shops. You pay a good ten euros for the five meters.
You can also attach the sealing strips to windows.
Sealing strips are available for about 15 euros – for example on Amazon or Ebay.
Exposed and uninsulated heating pipes in unheated rooms such as in the basement give off heat – which they should actually transport to the living areas.
But there is something you can do about it: Anyone can insulate exposed heating pipes themselves. For example with insulating shells that can be placed around the pipes. The insulation of the heating pipes in unheated rooms is even mandatory according to the Building Energy Act of 2020.
Uninsulated roller shutter boxes can transport cold air inside because they are only surrounded by thin walls and never close completely windproof. These models were generally built into the 1980s.
If there is still a draft from the windows in the living room in winter, despite tight windows, this can be an indication. A simple test provides clarity: Hold a burning candle to the box and the seat belt hole. If the flame flickers, there is a need for action. In this case, tenants should definitely contact their landlord.
For example, flexible insulation boards can be inserted with little manual effort. The savings can bring almost 20 euros per square meter, as energy advice centers explain online at the request of FOCUS. The Federal Association of Consumers estimates the savings at 15 euros.
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