Tomislav Micić, an electrician, shares some valuable tips that could help individuals effectively cut down on their electricity bills this winter by making optimal use of their heating systems. One common issue that people face when they switch on their heating systems after the summer break is that their radiators are cold. Micić points out that the root cause could be the pump, which may get jammed due to lack of use over the summer. Lack of water circulation in the radiators or a dysfunctional boiler caused by low water pressure in the system may also be to blame.
To avoid such issues, Micić advises checking the system pressure before the start of the winter season. Each system features a manometer that indicates pressure, with a range between zero and four or six bars. A pressure of one to two bars is acceptable and suggests that the system can be started. If the pressure drops below one, it is an indicator of system malfunction and the need for a professional technician’s assistance.
Micić cautions against individuals trying to fix their radiators independently by adding water themselves. It is worth mentioning that the pressure in the system isn’t solely dependent on the water but also relies on the expansion tank. The water expands when heated and contracts when cooled, and the expansion tank is the only component capable of compensating for the expansion of the water.
To reduce electricity bills, Micić recommends the use of accurate room thermostats. Traditional thermostats with a wheel are fairly inaccurate and might overheat the room before homeowners realize it’s too warm and lower the setting manually. This results in energy waste. To this end, digital thermostats are a much more energy-efficient alternative as they maintain the temperature at preferred levels and prevent unnecessary heating.
Micić also recommends alternating between different heating methods such as inverters, especially during days when it’s not extremely cold. Inverters consume only one-third of the electricity used by conventional systems. However, he advises that overall electricity consumption should not exceed 1600 kWh per month, after which the electricity rate significantly increases. By managing energy consumption, substantial savings can be made at the end of the month.
