Winter is soon here and the outdoor temperature is steadily falling. In KFAB’s properties, the heating systems are preparing to work hard to keep the cold out.
During autumn and winter, we often spend more time in our homes than in the summer, which is why a comfortable indoor climate becomes even more important. However, many fall into the trap of closing air vents thinking it will make it warmer. The only thing that happens is that the air in the apartment becomes stale and you may get unwelcome odors like cooking smells from your neighbor.
During the summer, the indoor temperature can be as high as 25 degrees, and when it drops to 20-21 degrees in the autumn, it may feel cold in the home. If you then feel the radiators and they are cold, many believe there is something wrong with the heat and call maintenance. But often it turns out there is no issue.
The radiator’s thermostat valve automatically shuts off the heat supply when the temperature reaches the correct level, 21 degrees, which we have calculated as an economically comfortable indoor temperature.
Unfortunately, something that occurs is that the intake vents above the windows are closed to avoid cold air. Some believe this will make it warmer inside, but that’s not true at all, it does not get warmer.
The only thing you achieve is that you cut off the inflow of fresh air, like through mail slots and gaps between windows and frames. Air that comes in this way can be experienced as an unpleasant draft.
Another negative effect of closed vents is that the air in the home feels stale. It’s not uncommon for smells from stairwells and musty odors from water traps and drains to infiltrate the residence. To live in a fresh indoor climate, it’s just as important to bring in new air as to get rid of the old.
Good Advice
- Put a thermometer at eye level on an interior wall.
- It’s not wrong if one or more radiators are cooler at the bottom than at the top.
- If the room temperature is below 21 degrees and the radiator is cold, try turning the thermostat knob between open and closed positions about 10-15 times.
- Ensure the thermostat knob is fully open, otherwise turn it counterclockwise until it stops.
- Arrange furniture so that it’s clear in front of the radiators. Air circulation is important for the radiators to provide good and comfortable warmth.
- Make sure not to have curtains hanging that cover the thermostat knob.
- Don’t leave balcony doors and windows ajar, it cools down the apartment or room.
- The heat to the radiators varies depending on the outdoor temperature.
Too cold?
If, after measurement, it turns out your apartment is too cold, you should contact maintenance.