I take stock
How much do I consume? To heat less and better, consider your energy expenditure first. Are they high? Do they know peaks? Consult the housing DPE (Energy performance diagnosis, mandatory since 2007). More precise, the Linky meter and certain thermostats indicate the consumption per day. For a free assessment and advice, public service advisers Faire (faire.fr or 0 808 800 700) are available.
Is my installation efficient? Boiler, convector or wood stove: over fifteen years, an appliance heats badly and consumes a lot. It is better to replace it with a high-efficiency model (heat pump, condensing boiler, pellet stove, soft heat radiator) that quickly pays for itself, as much as we can benefit from assistance (guide to download from ademe. fr / aidefinancieres2020).
I have electric convectors
1. I adjust the temperature. Perform tests to adjust the setting of your convectors. They are equipped with a dial with generally three or four positions. Set it to one of the numbers and then, two or three hours later, check the room temperature. Depending on the result, adjust the setting, and don't touch it anymore! At night and / or if you are away for several hours, switch to eco mode (3 ° C less). The frost protection mode is reserved for absences of more than three days.
2. I program. By defining time slots in comfort mode and in eco mode, you avoid heating for nothing. Equip yourself with a wireless programmer, easy to install (€ 269 per pack with six receivers to connect to convectors, Delta Dore at Leroy Merlin). The control box can be used to manage up to three zones with different temperatures: living room, bedrooms, etc.
3. I dust off. After switching off the heating and unscrewing the front panel, clean the inside of the convectors with the vacuum cleaner, a soft cloth and a damp cloth. They will consume less. Don't forget to go behind with a feather duster to remove all the dust
4. I lighten my heated towel rail. Once the towels are dry, remove them from the radiator so as not to interfere with the diffusion of heat. Another tip: leave the appliance at 18 ° C during the day, and go up to 22 ° C when the bathroom is in use. It uses less energy than yo-yoing (turn off the heat and then turn it on to maximum). As for the turbo function, reserve it for unscheduled showers.
I have a gas or oil boiler
5. I insulate the pipes. To limit heat loss in cold rooms such as the garage or cellar, cover the ducts with foam sleeves (sold in DIY stores). If the pipes run along the wall, opt for insulating tape, which is much thinner.
6. I bleed the radiators. Once a year, the air from the radiators should be purged to improve their performance. After turning off the boiler and placing a container under the bleed screw (at the top, on the side), all you have to do is turn with pliers until a regular stream of water is obtained, then screw again. Once the radiators have purged, check that the boiler water pressure is between 1.5 and 2 bars. If it is less, open the fill valve.
7. I'm changing my thermostat. Swap your rotary thermostat for a programmable and connected model. The temperature of the living room then automatically adapts to your rhythm of life (presence or absence) in order to avoid unnecessary expenses. To control radiators in other rooms, screw thermostatic heads in place of valves, and connect to the system. If the installation is done by a professional, you are entitled to assistance of 150 € (see "Thermostat boost" on service-public.fr). € 199.99 the starter kit (thermostat + Internet bridge), "Tado" on boulanger.com.
8. I maintain my installation. Mandatory once a year, maintenance of the boiler includes maintenance of the device and sweeping of the duct. To overhaul a heat pump (compulsory every two years), the pro must hold a certificate of aptitude for handling refrigerants. Do you use wood heating? It takes two sweeps per year, including one during the heating period. If it is a pellet stove, have the settings checked every year as the appliance is very technological.
I heat myself with wood
9. I choose the right essence. Hard hardwoods that provide long and efficient combustion (oak, hornbeam, beech, ash) are the most suitable. Soft hardwoods (birch, plane tree, poplar, lime, chestnut, willow) and conifers (fir, pine, spruce) burn too quickly and clog the duct.
10. I opt for extra dry wood. It burns better if it contains less than 20% humidity (class H1). Once split, homemade logs should be stored for at least a year to evacuate moisture. What about compressed wood? Composed of shavings and recycled sawdust, it offers clean and efficient combustion. One log of this type produces as much heat as three conventional logs.
11. I am successful in my outbreak. To quickly get good draft, there's nothing like reverse ignition. The result is energy savings and a cleaner window. The technique ? Place three logs horizontally, spacing them apart. Place three logs perpendicularly on top and add a third layer in the same direction as the first. Top it off with kindling and a fire lighter. So the newspaper that clogs the duct is useless.
12. I regulate the air intake. Turning the air supply to the wood stove fully open when you start it up quickly produces nice flames – you can also leave the door ajar. After a few minutes, once the appliance has warmed up, slightly close the valve. Be careful not to smother the fire, as this will clog the device.
13. I close my fireplace. To transform an open hearth into a real auxiliary heating, a small stove or an insert (glass hearth) with wood or pellets can be placed in the hearth and a tube in the duct (from € 500 the appliance , except pose). To find an installer, go to expertschaleurbois.fr
Stop wasting energy
14. I isolate my home starting with the attic, where the loss is greatest.
15. I caulk the bottom of the doors and window surrounds to prevent air infiltration.
16. I cover the "cold walls" (walls and floors) of insulating panels, carpet or rugs.
17. I close my shutters the night.
18. I heat to 16 ° C or 17 ° C in unoccupied rooms (entrance, bedrooms, etc.) and at night. In the living room, 19 ° C is sufficient. By lowering the temperature by 1 ° C, you reduce your heating rating by 7%.
Read also :
⋙ 7 tips to save electricity, heating and water at home
⋙ Chimney fire: how to make outbreaks more environmentally friendly?
⋙ Containment: how to save on heating this winter?