October 16, 2025, 8:00 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Due to rising heating costs from the energy crisis, it’s more important than ever to keep an eye on them. To avoid freezing in the upcoming heating season, you can reduce costs with a few simple tips.
Heating costs continue to rise. Therefore, some have hesitated to turn up the thermostat. However, sitting in a cold apartment is not a solution either. In light of this, myHOMEBOOK has compiled 13 tips to help save on heating costs.
Overview
Saving on Heating Costs–Practical Tips
- Close the shutters at night. According to the German Environment Agency, households lose about 20 percent of their heat through windows. Therefore, sealing them at night can save on heating costs. If you don’t have shutters, thick curtains will suffice.
- Make sure to position the curtains correctly. If they hang in front of the heater, warm air cannot circulate properly in the room. The same goes for furniture—there should be at least a hand’s width of space between them and the heaters.
- It seems logical to heat less to save costs. However, this is counterproductive because rooms cool down this way. It then takes much longer to heat them up again, which incurs more costs.
- Cooler rooms like the bedroom are usually heated less. To prevent cold air from spreading to other rooms, keep the doors closed.
- A simple way to save on heating costs is to use properly functioning heaters. You need to bleed them regularly.
- Do not leave windows tilted open permanently. Otherwise, walls and rooms cool down.
- Also, make sure to turn off heaters before ventilating.
- Keep windows closed at night to prevent room air from cooling. Ventilate thoroughly in the morning instead.
- At night, you can also turn the heating down a few degrees.
- Many apartments have wood or stone floors, which make rooms feel cooler, increasing heating requirements. Laying down rugs makes rooms feel warmer, reducing the need to heat and saving on heating costs.
- Cold air can enter through gaps in windows and doors. You can easily seal these with self-adhesive strips.
- The walls behind heaters are often thinner, allowing more cold to penetrate. You can insulate them with foil or panels.
- Install programmable radiator thermostats. They allow you to optimally adjust heating behavior and save on heating costs.
Should you leave the heating on or switch it off when no one is at home?
What Time of Day You Should Ventilate in Spring
How Warm Should the Rooms Be?
The recommended temperature varies from room to room. The following guidelines are recommended:
- Living room: 68 to 72° F
- Kitchen: 64 to 68° F
- Bedroom: 60 to 64° F
- Bathroom: maximum 73° F
Tip: Lowering the room temperature by just one degree can save about six percent on heating costs, according to the German Tenants’ Association.
Also interesting: Can Solar Thermal Energy Reduce Heating Costs?
Proper Ventilation is Important
To heat properly and save on heating costs, proper ventilation is essential. Especially during the heating season, it’s important to regularly supply the apartment with fresh air. This not only improves air quality but also reduces humidity in living spaces, helping to prevent mold growth.
According to the German Environment Agency, a four-person household releases about twelve liters of moisture into the air daily through breathing, showering, cooking, and washing. To remove this from living spaces, you should ventilate several times a day. Open the window completely for about five minutes—ideally creating a draft.