Nearly all Copenhagen’s citizens have district heating. So, every single good habit counts when we all have to cut our consumption. Saving energy makes good sense and benefits both your finances and the environment – and helps secure energy supplies.
Here are our tips for saving energy
Lower the temperature in your home
If you reduce room temperature by one degree, you save five per cent on your heating bill. You do this by turning down the thermostat on your radiator. But keep the temperature at a minimum of 18°C, as anything colder provides good conditions for mould growth.
Put thermostats on the same setting
If you have more than one radiator in the same room, or in rooms with an open door between them, you should put your radiators on the same setting. This is the most efficient setup for your radiators.
Let the heat spread throughout the room
Is your sofa or another large piece of furniture placed in front of your radiator? Ensure there is at least 20cm between the radiator and any furniture and avoid hanging long curtains in front of your radiator. This way you allow the heat to spread throughout the room. Also avoid hanging clothes or wet towels on the radiator to dry.
Listen for gurgling or trickling sounds
Listen to hear if your radiator makes gurgling or trickling sounds. This means there is air in the system and your radiator will not function or heat up optimally. If you live in a rental home, you can contact your caretaker.
If you own your own home, you can see how to bleed your radiator here - choose English subtitles under settings.
Radiator does not heat up
If your radiator does not heat up as it usually does, the radiator valve may be stuck. Contact your caretaker or o adjust your radiator valve.
See how to adjust your radiator valve here - choose English subtitles under settings.
Air out
A prerequisite for a healthy indoor climate is that you air out. But don’t let your window remain open all day, that is a waste of good energy. Create a through draught and air out efficiently for 15 minutes before closing the windows again.
Use curtains or blinds
Having the curtains drawn during the evening and night can help limit the loss of heat from your home. Remember to draw back the curtains again during the day to let in light and heat.
Good advice for house owners
Insulate your hot water pipes
Insulating your hot water pipes is a good idea if you want to minimise energy consumption. Homeowners wasting between DKK 1,000 and 2,000 annually by paying for the heat lost through uninsulated pipes is not unusual.
For example, if you have 8 metres of uninsulated pipe running from your heating unit to your sink, that could add up to an unnecessary waste of heat of up to DKK 1,000 annually. The cost of insulating your hot water pipes is typically recouped in less than a year.
Regulate your central heating system gradually in line with the season
You can cut your heating bill significantly if you regulate your central heating system in relation to the outdoor temperature. The most energy-efficient way to use the system is to both turn on and turn off gradually as the seasons change.
Your hot water tank
The temperature in your hot water tank should be 55°C. Higher temperatures are simply a waste of energy and cost both you and the environment. If you reduce the temperature from around 60°C to around 55°C, you can save 2-3 per cent on your annual heating bill. However, you should ensure the temperature does not fall below this, otherwise there is a risk that legionella bacteria could live in your hot water.
Correct water pressure in your district heating unit
You should ensure there is enough water in your district heating unit so the water can fill all the radiators in your home. Otherwise, you will get air in the system and it will be hard for the heat to spread into the room. A water pressure of 1.5 bar in your radiator circuit is a good rule of thumb.
Heat meter
The heat meter is the device that measures how much energy you get out of the district heating water. See the explanatory video below - choose English subtitles under settings.
