Seasonal Savings Tips for Autumn

How to Save on Heating Costs and Energy Use

As temperatures drop, energy bills tend to rise. The good news: with a few smart habits and small adjustments at home, you can cut your heating costs and use energy more efficiently—without freezing.

Here are practical tips to keep your home warm and your bills under control.

1. Bleed Your Radiators

Before you turn the heating on for the season, make sure your radiators are working properly.

• If radiators gurgle, stay cold at the top, or only get lukewarm, there’s probably air in the system.
• Radiators with trapped air are less efficient and use more energy to produce the same amount of heat.

Bleeding them is quick and easy—and helps your whole heating system run more efficiently.

2. Adjust Room Temperatures

Many people heat their home more than necessary. Small changes in temperature can make a big difference on your bill.

As a guideline:

• Living room: around 20°C is usually enough
• Bedroom: 16–18°C is ideal for sleeping

Every 1°C higher can increase your energy consumption by about 6%.
So even a slight reduction can lead to noticeable savings over time.

3. Use Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats make it much easier to heat only when and where it’s needed.

With them, you can:

• Set individual schedules for each room
• Lower the temperature automatically when you’re out or asleep
• Control everything from your smartphone, even when you’re not at home

That means: more comfort, less waste.

4. Ventilate the Right Way

Fresh air is important—to prevent mould and keep the air quality good. But how you ventilate matters.

Instead of leaving windows on tilt for long periods (which slowly lets heat escape):

• Use “shock ventilation” (Stoßlüften)
  • Open windows fully for 5–10 minutes
  • Do this a few times a day

This way:

• The air is exchanged quickly
• The walls and furniture stay warm
• You lose less overall heat than with constantly tilted windows

5. Check Seals on Windows and Doors

Drafts are silent energy killers.

In autumn, check:

• Window seals
• Door frames
• Any visible gaps

If seals are worn or damaged, replace them or add:

• Additional sealing strips
• Draft stoppers
• Insulating film for windows

This helps keep the warm air in and the cold air out, reducing the need for extra heating.

6. Use Curtains and Blinds as Insulation

Your windows can work for or against you, depending on how you use them.

• In the evening and at night:
  • Close curtains and blinds to keep heat inside
  • Thick curtains act like an extra insulating layer
• During the day:
  • Open curtains and blinds to let in sunlight
  • The sun warms the room naturally, so you can turn the heating down a little

Simple, but effective.

7. Don’t Block Your Radiators

Radiators need space to work properly.

Avoid:

• Large pieces of furniture directly in front of radiators
• Long curtains covering them
• Radiator covers that block airflow

If warm air can’t circulate freely, the heating system has to work harder to reach the desired temperature—using more energy.

Leave enough room around radiators so the heat can spread throughout the room.

8. Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances

Heating isn’t the only factor in your energy bill. Electrical devices matter too.

Check your home for:

• Old, inefficient light bulbs → switch to LEDs
• Older appliances with high consumption → consider more efficient models
• Devices permanently in standby mode → switch them off completely when not in use

Even small changes in electricity use can add up over time—especially in autumn and winter, when lights and devices are used more.

9. Improve Insulation (Long-Term Savings)

If you own your home or are planning renovations, better insulation is one of the most powerful ways to cut heating costs.

Consider:

• Insulating roof and attic
• Improving wall insulation
• Upgrading to better windows and doors

Yes, the initial investment can be significant—but over the years, lower heating bills can offset the cost and improve comfort in your home.

Conclusion: Small Habits, Big Impact

Autumn is the perfect time to establish energy-efficient routines and prepare your home for the colder months.

With simple measures like:

• Bleeding radiators
• Adjusting room temperatures
• Using smart thermostats
• Ventilating properly
• Improving insulation and sealing

…you can:

• Lower your heating costs
• Increase comfort
• And contribute to environmental protection at the same time

So you get through the winter warm, comfortable—and without unnecessarily high energy bills. 🔥🏠💡

‍