Tips for avoiding high power consumption

The main reasons for increased power consumption are:

1. Poor house insulation.

2. Inefficient heating system. In fact, the heating system is an intermediary between the central heating boiler and the environment, designed to bring minimal losses and efficient distribution of the heat generated by the boiler. How does it work: Return water (e.g. 30 °C) is heated by the boiler with approx. 8 °C and sent to the circuit at 38 °C, where it partially emits heat in the environment or in other directions (e.g. 6 °C), returning in return by 32 °C. The cycle restarts at 40 °C as the heating boiler adds 8°C.

In case of poor insulation or an inefficient circuit, the hot water will lose more heat, returning to the return almost as cold, i.e. 30 - 31 °C, forcing the heating boiler to resume the process from the beginning (water temperature rises slowly), which means a longer period of operation of the heating boiler and consequently a higher power consumption. Which circuits are inefficient? Obviously the longest ones, i.e. primarily those with distributors, where the total length of the pipes reaches up to 1 km. Of course, at such a distance, the water will lose much of the initial heat. Likewise, heat will be lost if the pipes come into direct or indirect contact (through a thin insulating tube less than 10 mm) with the concrete or the wall.

Logically, this means that the optimization of power consumption comes with shortening the circuit and insulation. That is, renouncing heating systems with radiator distributors (distributors are intended exclusively for underfloor heating). The shortest possible route is the inner one, i.e. by placing the radiators opposite the window, not under the window, thus shortening the route as much as possible.

This results in several advantages:

- Increased heating speed;

- Lowered price with materials and assembly;

- Avoiding heat loss through the window light;

- The recirculation pump runs easier serving a shorter circuit;

- Practically you can no longer see the pipes around the house;

- Decreased electricity bill by up to 40 - 50%.

For minimum monthly power consumption, it is ideal to follow these tips:

- Use sheet steel radiators;

- Use pipes placed in sight;

- Wherever possible, place the radiators opposite the window on the inner wall because the “under the window” position generates losses. By the way: Quality insulated windows are not supposed to sweat even without a radiator under them (e.g. underfloor heating);

- In the case of underfloor heating, the layer of concrete over the pipes should not exceed 3 cm, and the pipes should be placed as follows: from the outer wall 10 - 15 cm and further 20 - 25 cm. The pipes are placed on a reflective foil laid on an insulating layer of extruded polystyrene of min. 5 cm;

- The heating boiler cannot be located outside the house in a badly insulated annex. You also cannot place a radiator in that annex. The heating boiler is small and quiet enough to fit anywhere in the house.

Any boiler, regardless of type, principle, or energy source, must generate hot water and send it to the heating installation. Some boilers do this with lower efficiency, others with higher efficiency, i.e. they produce the same amount of heat with lower power consumption (as can be seen from the installed power of our boilers, which for the same 70 sqm apartment needs only 4 kW instead of 6-9 kW needed for resistance boilers). After filling the house with heat, the room thermostat turns it off until the temperature drops by approx. 1°C, after which the room thermostat starts the boiler again. Obviously, in case of poor thermal insulation and heat loss through half-open or poorly sealed windows and/or doors, the heat will dissipate quickly and the central heating boiler will start working again soon to recover the loss. Therefore, power consumption will also increase considerably.

When assessing the degree of insulation of the house, pay special attention to the ceiling. The contact surface of the hot air rising from the bottom must be made from warm material (wood or polystyrene). Any cold surface actively absorbs the heat produced by the central heating boiler, therefore increasing power consumption.