Heating season

Winter is slowly but surely approaching and the heating season has come. We have a few tips for you on how to keep your places warm and how to do it effectively.

• First tip goes for the ones who just moved in. Your utilities deposit might be too low because there simply was no heating needed during the summer. The monthly deposit payments do not reflect the actual consumption so try not to use the energy ineffectively. Once a year, usually around March, you will receive an Annual Calculation (by mail or from your landlord). The deposits paid will be compared with your actual consumption and, depending on the difference, you will be required to pay the due amount or you will receive some money back. Here are a few things to keep in mind during the heating season:

   

• Check your windows – are they well isolated?

   

• Try to keep the heaters uncovered – move the couch a little further from it, do not put anything over it, try to keep the curtains above of aside from the heaters

   

• Do not do extremes – turning the heating off completely and then turning it on max increases your bill significantly. Try to keep a nice temperature throughout a day, slightly lower the temperature when you leave for work or school. If you have a thermostat at your place, take advantage of the fact that you can set the timer for when the heating is supposed to change (you can heat up the apartment an hour or two before you come home from work)

   

• You have to air the place! Most of the modern building are isolated and if you do not air your apartment, it is like living in a plastic bag and you are creating the perfect conditions for mould - there are health risks, it is toxic to live in such conditions! In case you already have mould in your apartment, do not sleep in the room, get "Savo proti plísním" (strong mould cleaner) and gloves and try to get rid of it. How to avoid this? It is best to open the windows completely for a few minutes and air the apartment thoroughly rather than cracking the window for the whole time. If the apartment is still dank, consider buying a humidifier. It is also ineffective to have the heating on while airing the room.

2014-10-01