How to prepare your heating system for winter: A practical guide to avoiding breakdowns

Annual boiler inspection

Maintaining your boiler is not just a recommendation, it is a legal obligation. For oil-fired boilers, this maintenance is mandatory every year throughout Belgium. However, for gas-fired boilers, the frequency varies: every two years in Flanders and Brussels, and every three years in Wallonia for boilers with a capacity of 100 kW or less.

This periodic inspection allows you to check the tightness of the ducts, the safety devices, and the carbon monoxide level in the fumes. In addition to the invaluable safety benefits, a thorough inspection combined with maintenance can reduce boiler consumption by 2%. Don't forget to keep the certificate issued by the certified technician.

Bleeding water radiators

Bleeding your radiators is a simple but crucial step in optimizing your heating system. When air bubbles build up in your pipes, they prevent water from circulating properly and thus prevent heat from being distributed evenly.

To bleed a radiator:

1. Open the valves fully and run your boiler at high temperature for 15 minutes.
2. Turn it off and close all the radiator valves.
3. Wait 10 minutes for the radiators to cool down.
4. Start with the lowest radiator closest to the boiler.
5. Place a container under the drain valve and open it partially.
6. Close as soon as the water drains away.

Clean electric radiators

Cleaning electric radiators prevents dust from being blown into the room and optimizes the appliance's performance. Before handling, unplug your radiator and allow it to cool down.

For effective cleaning, use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and a feather duster for hard-to-reach areas. For marks or splashes, use a slightly damp sponge, possibly with a little dishwashing liquid. Never use abrasive products that could damage the surface.

Check the heat pump and fan coil units.

Maintaining your fan coil unit only takes a few moments. A few times a year, grab your vacuum cleaner and get to work. Start by unplugging the appliance, removing the top grille, and vacuuming the dust with a brush attachment. For the casing, use a dry cloth.

For heat pumps, professional maintenance is recommended annually, although the legal requirement is biannual. Between professional visits, check the outdoor unit to remove leaves and debris that could obstruct the device.

Finally, don't forget to check the condition of your fan coil unit batteries, their seals, and the cleanliness of their clogging annually. Filters should also be changed and cleaned every year.

Optimizing heat management

For a comfortable and economical winter, managing the heat in your home is essential. Here's how to optimize your heating system efficiently.

Install a room thermostat

A room thermostat can save you up to 15% on your heating bill. For maximum efficiency, install it in a representative room such as the living room, at a height of between 1.20 m and 1.50 m from the floor. Also, avoid placing it near a radiator, window, or on an exterior wall, as this can distort its measurements.

Adjust the thermostatic valves

Thermostatic valves regulate the flow of hot water to each radiator according to the desired room temperature. In general, position 3 corresponds to approximately 19-20°C. Here is a practical guide to the settings:

• Position * : 6°C (hors-gel)
• Position 1: 15°C (rooms that are rarely used)
• Position 2: 17°C (hallways, entrances)
• Position 3: 66–68°F (living areas)
• Position 4: 22°C (bathroom)
• Position 5: maximum temperature

Remember to close the valves during prolonged ventilation to avoid wasting energy.

Program the heating times

Smart programming can save up to 25% energy. During your daily absences, lower the temperature to 61°F (16°C), and for extended absences, set it between 54°F (12°C) and 57°F (14°C). Similarly, reduce the heating at night to 16°C. Important to remember: lowering the temperature by just one degree can reduce your consumption by 7%.

Ideal temperature for heating in winter

For optimal comfort without excessive consumption, follow these recommendations:

• Living room, kitchen, and dining room: 19°C maximum
• Adult bedrooms: 16°C
• Baby's room: between 64 and 68°F
• Bathroom: 22°C during use, 17°C the rest of the time
• Passageways: 16-17°C

These precise settings will guarantee you the right temperature in every room while keeping your energy consumption under control during the cold season.

Limiting heat loss in the home

A well-insulated home is the key to effectively reducing your energy consumption during the cold months. Heat loss can account for up to 25% of total energy loss. Here's how to limit these losses at a low cost.

Insulate heating pipes

Insulating heating pipes can reduce your heating consumption by 14%. Particularly useful in unheated spaces such as basements or garages, this method prevents heat from escaping unnecessarily. For a pipe with a diameter of 28 mm, each uninsulated meter results in an annual loss of approximately 12 liters of fuel oil or 12 m³ of gas.

Three main types of insulation are available:

• Mineral wool: thick and highly insulating
• Polyethylene foam: available with different types of closure
• Elastomer: flexible material, easy to install

Seal windows and doors

Sealing windows protects your home from moisture and allows you to better regulate the indoor temperature. This simple technique can be done with silicone, expanding foam, or adhesive rubber seals.

For effective caulking, start by cleaning the window edges, then cut the tip of the caulking cartridge to the width of the gap to be filled. Apply the product using steady pressure and quickly smooth the joint.

Use reflector panels

Reflective panels placed behind radiators can increase their efficiency by 5 to 10%. They reflect heat back into the room rather than allowing it to escape through the wall.

These panels are particularly effective for radiators installed on uninsulated exterior walls. Available in film or sheet form, they cost between €5 and €20 per radiator.

Install thick curtains

Thermal curtains reduce heat loss through windows by up to 80%. Made with an insulating lining, they form an effective barrier against the cold in winter and heat in summer.

For optimal efficiency, choose curtains with thermal lining which, thanks to patented technology, contain a thin metallic layer that reflects 80% to 90% of infrared rays. These curtains can also reduce the indoor temperature by 3°C in summer, providing comfort all year round.

Adopting the right habits in everyday life

Beyond technical solutions, a few daily habits can significantly improve your thermal comfort while reducing your energy bill.

Air out the house every day

Contrary to popular belief, airing out your home every day is essential, even in the middle of winter. Open your windows wide for 5 to 10 minutes each day. This short period is enough to renew the air without cooling down the walls and furniture. Dry air warms up faster than humid air, making your heating more efficient. It is best to ventilate in the morning between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and in the evening after dinner to avoid pollution peaks.

Do not overheat unoccupied rooms.

For rooms that are rarely used, maintain a temperature between 54 and 64°F. Never turn off the heating completely, as cold air from unheated rooms cools adjacent rooms and increases overall consumption. In addition, a minimum amount of heat prevents humidity and mold problems.

Comfort and savings for a peaceful winter

Preparing your heating system before winter is therefore not just a precaution, but a necessity to ensure comfort and energy savings. Regular maintenance of your equipment—whether it's your boiler, radiators, heat pump, or fan coil units—extends their service life while optimizing their efficiency.

In addition, smart management of your heating using room thermostats and thermostatic valves can significantly reduce your energy bill. Remember: lowering the temperature by just one degree can save you 7% on your consumption.

Of course, limiting heat loss remains essential. Insulating pipes, caulking windows, and using reflective panels and thermal curtains are effective and inexpensive ways to keep heat inside your home.

Ultimately, everyday actions make all the difference. Daily ventilation, moderate heating of rarely used rooms, the use of blankets, and proper preparation of firewood are the perfect additions to your winter strategy.

By adopting these various preventive measures and habits, you will enjoy a comfortable winter in your home while keeping your energy consumption under control. These simple actions will not only protect you from the cold, but also from unpleasant surprises on your heating bill.