With the rising cost of energy, any tip to relieve your wallet is worth taking.
Radiators equipped with thermostatic valves have become the standard for heating our homes. But do you really know what the numbers and graduations indicated on these devices correspond to? Take notes and save money on your energy bill.
These graduated valves are equipped with an ingenious little mechanism: a thermostatic bulb. This bulb contains a liquid, gel or gas that reacts to variations in ambient temperature. When the room heats up, the contents of the bulb expand, reducing or stopping the flow of hot water to the radiator. Conversely, if the temperature drops, the bulb contracts, allowing more hot water to pass through to heat the room. Unlike a digital thermostat where you choose an exact temperature, thermostatic valves work in levels. Each position of the valve corresponds to a “comfort level”, adapted to different uses or rooms. But don’t look for an exact conversion to degrees Celsius: that’s not their role.
So, even if these figures do not reflect a fixed temperature, here is an approximation of the correspondences and the suitable rooms: * for a frost-free temperature (around 6°C), ideal for unoccupied rooms in winter; 1 for around 12°C, perfect for cellars or stairs; 2 for around 17°C, suitable for corridors or entrance halls; 3 for around 20°C, ideal for living rooms or kitchens; 4 for around 22°C, perfect for bathrooms; 5 for full opening, useful in situations requiring temporary maximum heating. Please note that these indications may vary depending on the environment around your radiator. Drafts, wall insulation or even the proximity of a cold window can in fact modify its functioning. Result: a valve set to “3” in your well-insulated living room will not produce the same heat as a valve “3” in a poorly insulated room.
Thus, by regulating each radiator individually, you avoid overheating unused rooms while maintaining optimal comfort in the living spaces. This fine regulation can considerably reduce your energy consumption. So the next time you turn the dial on your radiator, think about it.
