Expensive heating costs. Paying bills. Euro money paper banknotes falling into heating radiator battery at home.

Tips for saving heating costs: Insulate your home easily

8. November 2022 Published by Raphael Doerr

In autumn 2022, the most popular small talk question is no longer “Have you had it yet?” but “Are you heating yet?”. Winter hasn’t even officially started yet and already many consumers are asking themselves how they can best minimise their heating costs and save money. We have collected the best tips on how to insulate your home quickly and cheaply and thus also save on heating costs.

According to geo.de, the most important thing is to prevent unnecessary heat loss in winter. This is the key to great savings in heating costs, because it saves energy and minimises heating costs. Many measures can be implemented for little money and without a handyman. And: the right insulation not only saves money, but also contributes to improving your personal ecological balance.

draught stopper for doors and windows

In winter, valuable heat is lost in many houses and flats due to cold draughts. The reason for this is usually poorly sealed doors and windows. For example, even a thin gap between the door and the floor can cause an unpleasant draught. Even when windows are closed, there is often a draught if, for example, the gap between the frame and the window sill is not completely tight.

Draught stoppers are a simple and inexpensive solution for unsealed doors and windows. “The classic draught excluder resembles a long cushion and is placed in front of the door or on the windowsill. However, especially for doors that are used a lot, models that can be attached are more suitable: For example, there are self-adhesive door seals made of silicone that are particularly narrow and inconspicuous. There are also draught excluders on both sides that can be pushed under the door and thus cannot slip. There are also models with a Velcro system or fastening straps,” writes geo.de.

thermal curtains have an insulating effect

Curtains not only create a cosy atmosphere in your own home. They can also contribute to the thermal insulation of the home. Special thermal curtains or blackout curtains prevent too much heat from being lost through windows or patio and balcony doors in winter. However, the curtains should not cover any radiators, because then heat builds up and heating costs increase.

Tip: There are thermal roller blinds for roof windows. Roller blinds and pleated blinds can also be fitted in combination with curtains.

sealing tape for windows and doors

Windows and doors can be effectively sealed with self-adhesive sealing tape. “However, this is usually only worthwhile for old buildings. Old wooden windows that do not yet have a seal can be fitted with the tape. It is stuck into the frame when the window is open (important: clean the surface beforehand!), so that the window leaf rests on the sealing tape when it is closed,” writes geo.de.

repairing cracks in the whole flat

Often there is also a draught through various unsealed areas in the home. These can be, for example, thin gaps around the window frame, but also on older wooden stairs there are sometimes narrow gaps through which there is a draught.

“Such unsealed areas can be easily repaired with acrylic: To do this, open a cartridge of insulating acrylic according to the packaging instructions and pour it into a cartridge gun. Then cover the crack evenly with acrylic and then brush over it with your finger to compact and smooth the acrylic. To prevent the acrylic from sticking to your finger, it is best to have a small bowl of water and some washing-up liquid ready. Dip your finger in it before peeling off each joint to prevent the acrylic from sticking,” explains goe.de.

seal the extractor bonnet and WC ventilation

When the wind whips against the outside wall in autumn and winter, cold air is often drawn through the extractor bonnet directly into the kitchen or bathroom. The culprit is usually inadequate sealing of the ventilation pipe that runs through the wall and conveys air from the kitchen or bathroom to the outside. However, the (cold) air also finds its way the other way around if the ventilation or the extractor bonnet is not switched on. This problem can be solved with a backflow flap that opens to the outside and remains closed to the inside, even in strong winds. This way, the home stays warm longer and everyone can save on heating costs this winter.