Sometimes, it is not necessary to turn off your heating system in order to save energy. In order to help you with the sustainable use of your appliances, there are currently numerous kinds of thermostats and chronothermostats available. Using these appliances, which are easy to install, you can save between 8% and 13% in your energy consumption without reducing your comfort in the slightest.
There are models to suit everyone, ranging from a metal plate, such as the classic thermostatic radiator valve, to sophisticated microprocessors which can control the relative humidity of the room. It is currently easier to find them in a digital form, which is attached to the wall.
In general terms, a thermostat is a component in a simple control system which activates or deactivates an electric circuit depending on the temperature. The difference between the simpler systems and those which are more modern and complex, the chronothermostats, lies in the flexibility of the programming: not only do they turn the system on and off in order to maintain the desired temperature, but they also enable you to programme the temperature to which you wish to heat or cool your house by the hour, day and week.
More versatile, more efficient
Their versatility creates greater opportunities to use your heating and air conditioning systems efficiently. As such, you can programme various temperature settings within the same day, and in different rooms of the house, in order to configure the heating in line with your real needs. You can even plan when it comes on and when it goes off.
Experts recommend different temperature levels depending on your needs. They are as follows:
- 20ºC. This is the average temperature so that your property offers an acceptable level of comfort.
- 15ºC. If you leave the house for a few hours, this is a good temperature to avoid returning to an excessively cold house. It can also be a good temperature when you go to bed.
- 5 ºC. Turning off the heating for long absences in the middle of winter and in excessively cold areas, can be counterproductive since you run the risk of the pipes freezing and bursting. Maintaining a minimum temperature, such as five degrees, prevents excessive energy costs and unpleasant surprises when you return home.
Installation tips
As a general rule, thermostats are built in to the heating systems of new properties. If you still do not have one, do not worry because they are relatively easy to install. As such, according to the sector, one of the key factors for maximising their potential is to choose a good location: put the thermostat at a comfortable height, about 1.5 metres from the ground, on an internal wall in optimum environmental conditions, in other words, not next to sources of heat or cold, such as windows or radiators. That way, you can have it to hand whenever you need it, guaranteeing comfort and a pleasant atmosphere in your home.
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- Showers and thermostats
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