Winter is coming: the golden rules of heating, to save money and protect the environment

That time of the year is here once more, when turning the heating on is no longer an option, but a necessity. Even though temperatures are, on the whole, tolerable, coming home from work to a warm house is definitely pleasurable as well as being good for our health.

Italian regulations on energy saving allow central heating to be turned on as early as 15^th October in national climate zone ‘E’, which covers approximately four thousand Italian municipal districts. These include large cities such as Milan, Turin, Venice and Bologna, but also all towns in the mountain regions.

Ten tips for optimal heating use

It is important to respect the environment, especially at such a delicate time for our climate. By following the ten handy tips listed below, you will be able to make considerable savings on heating over the next few months, while still bearing in mind the welfare of our planet.

1. Before turning on heating systems, it is advisable to carry out routine maintenance. As well as ensuring the correct functioning of the system, following this rule guarantees the safety of the system, as well as considerable savings in terms of energy consumption.
2. Setting room temperatures responsibly is another way to save on bills. According to Enea, the ideal average temperature is around 19 degrees Celsius, but Italian law allows for a maximum of 22.
3. The hours of use also have a considerable impact on consumption. In accordance with current legislation, the ‘E’ zone may keep the heating on for around 14 hours a day, while in zone ‘B’ (southern Italy and coastal areas), the hours are reduced to 8.
4. Another important tip is to insulate windows By using heavy curtains, lowering the blinds or blocking drafts, it is possible to significantly reduce heat dispersion.
5. Take care not to block radiators with objects, curtains or furniture. If heat is not free to disperse due to obstacles, the heating system is forced to work much harder, resulting in increased consumption.  A good way to facilitate heat diffusion is to place a reflective panel between the radiator and the wall (a sheet of aluminium foil will do).
6. When you want to air a room, it is sufficient to open the windows for just a few minutes, thereby avoiding too much heat escaping needlessly. It is advisable to do this during the warmest hours of the day.
7. Carry out a check on the building’s thermal efficiency, as it is good practice to do this at regular intervals. Thanks to state incentives, maintenance and modernisation procedures are not too expensive.
8. Tax deductions are available for those deciding to install an innovative latest-generation heating system. Thanks to the use of solar panels and condensation boilers or heat pumps, it is possible to heat the house while respecting the environment.
9. Choosing to fit an automatic temperature control hub is another good way of avoiding needless waste. Smart living solutions may also be considered, such as presence detection sensors and remote control systems.
10. A good solution for buildings fitted with a centralised heating system is individual billing for heating. By installing special devices to measure the heat, it is possible to regulate consumption individually and only pay for what you actually use.

These simple guidelines will help to ensure the optimum efficiency of heating systems during the colder months, guaranteeing real savings while respecting the environment.

Translated by Joanne Beckwith