Saving energy when heating – down with the room temperatures: you have to pay attention to this – News

What are the politicians asking for? Two thirds of the energy required in Swiss households is used for heating. In view of a possible bottleneck in gas and electrical energy, saving is the order of the day. This is what the Solothurn middle councilor Othmar Reichmuth demands in one Motion among other things, that the federal government should examine savings measures such as heating controls and the lower setting of thermostats. It goes even further SP Switzerland: She sees it as a “painless measure for people” to cap the heating temperature to 20 degrees.

What room temperature is ideal? First of all: feeling cold is very individual. Health and age also play a role. In general, however, it can be said that temperatures below 20 degrees make you feel cold. This is also influenced by the humidity in the air and by whether a person is moving, standing still or sitting. The Federal Office of Public Health therefore recommends a room temperature of 20 to 21 degrees in living rooms and 18 degrees in bedrooms during the heating period. For older people, it may also be a degree warmer, as the BAG reports on request.

Problem area bedroom


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As the BAG writes, bedrooms are among the problem rooms with relatively frequent moisture and mold problems. In order to avoid such problems, you should ventilate briefly in the evenings and in the morning and also heat the bedrooms sufficiently. It is true that low temperatures improve sleeping comfort. However, very low temperatures below 18 degrees or slightly reduced temperatures in problem houses with poor insulation can lead to condensation on the cooler bedroom walls (especially outside walls, outside wall corners) or window frames and cause mold and moisture problems.

Why shouldn’t the heating be set too warm? Walking around the apartment in a T-shirt and underpants, even in winter? In addition to high heating bills, health problems can also threaten, namely the drying out of mucous membranes and skin, as the BAG writes. This promotes respiratory infections, allergies and dermatitis. You also don’t sleep well when the temperature is too high and the air is too dry.

«Sommaruga is under pressure»


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Assessments by SRF parliamentary correspondent André Ruch: “The topic of heating is currently keeping politicians on their toes in the Federal Palace. The impending electricity crisis even forced Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga to call off her summer vacation in Italy, she is under particular pressure.

At the end of August, the federal government will start a major savings campaign with a view to the winter – also when it comes to heating. However, everything remains voluntary for the time being.”

Why shouldn’t the heating be switched off completely at night or when you’re away? Even if you could theoretically save fossil fuels and money by turning off the heating completely at night or on vacation, you shouldn’t do this. Firstly, there is a risk of mold because moisture can condense on the cold walls and ceilings and penetrate the surfaces. Second, you have to heat more to bring the cold rooms back up to the desired room temperature, which doesn’t really save you money.

What else can you do?


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  • Warm socks, a sweater, a blanket: this is how you don’t freeze when the heating is turned down a little.
  • Forced airing instead of tilting the window: ideally three to four times a day for five to ten minutes across the entire apartment. This also helps against moisture damage and the air quality improves.
  • When the outside temperature is low, close the roller shutters and window shutters.
  • Also open the shutters and window shutters in unused rooms during the day, especially on the south side. In this way, any heat from the sun can be used.
  • draw curtains. Attention: You should not cover the radiators with thick (night) curtains or furniture, because warm air should be able to circulate freely in the rooms!
  • And for homeowners and landlords: Energetically renovate the building, paying particular attention to the thermal insulation.
  • You can find more tips on how to save energy in general here.

Source: HEV / Energie Schweiz

What are my rights if the landlord lowers the heating for me? From the point of view of tenancy law, a so-called defect can be assumed if it is not possible to heat the apartment to at least 20 to 21 degrees (or 19 to 20 degrees with the Minergie standard) with the heating fully turned on, as the Zurich Tenants’ Association on request explained by SRF.

Tenants can expect these temperatures


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Minimum room temperatures are nowhere legally stipulated, but are based on the guidelines of the Swiss Tenants’ Association, which have been recognized by the Swiss courts. The homeowners’ association also recognizes these minimum values.

According to the case law of the Federal Supreme Court from 2017, tenants can expect an average temperature of 20 to 21 degrees or between 19 and 20 degrees with the Minergie standard. During the night, i.e. between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., it is permissible for the room temperature to drop. However, the temperature must not drop below 15 degrees.

How do I proceed? If the landlord does not heat enough or the heating stops, you should act quickly. The following points must be observed:

  • Notify landlord immediately. Preferably in writing and by registered mail. Because if consequential damage results from the excessively low temperatures and the tenants do not report this, the latter can be held liable for it.
  • Because tenants have to provide evidence of defects, MV Zürich recommends keeping a log of the fault with temperatures, date and time. To do this, the room temperature must be measured and noted daily and in different rooms.
  • If the landlord does not react: make a request to the rental arbitration board to have the defect rectified and the rent reduced, deposit the latter if necessary.
  • Since the procedure for depositing rent is complicated and some things can go wrong, it is definitely advisable to seek legal advice beforehand, advises the MV Zürich.

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