how to reduce consumption so as not to pay more

Recently, the Ministry of Energy confirmed a new increase in the gas service rate, which could exceed 300% compared to the values ​​that prevailed until now. These modifications would be implemented for both non-domestic and residential users. In this way, the first invoices with increases will arrive in May.

With these increases and the imminent arrival of the cold, it is increasingly necessary to become aware and precautions to reduce consumption of the service when heating the environments. In an attempt to make these new decisions affect the pocket as little as possiblemany users will try to moderate their use so as not to pay more.

But beyond improving or change consumption habitsit must also be taken into account that homes with a inefficient thermal insulation they don’t get preserve the temperature due to the heat that is lost through ceilings, walls and floors. So what precautions can be taken?

During the next few months with the arrival of winter, gas consumption is going to be increasing. Below are some basic tips that can help you improve some habits and thus reduce the use of the service:

• Always leave the taps in cold water position while they are not being used. Sometimes hot water is not needed, but by having them placed in that position, every time it is opened the heater will automatically turn on, or the hot water tank if it has already lost its hot water reserve.

• Adjust the temperature of the stove or heater. The ideal thing to maintain a comfortable environment is to start with a medium temperature (20 degrees) and then lower it to 16, closer to the minimum.

• Enjoy the sun which is the largest natural source of heat we have. Raising the blinds, especially on windows with more light, will help maintain the room temperature so that the heater is not running all day. Along the same lines, ventilate the home in these hours around midday, when the humidity and cold of the early morning have gone.

• Clear stoves. Although it is common for some to use the heat from the heater for other tasks (such as heating or drying clothes), this hinders its main objective: heating the house. It is important to ensure that there is nothing hindering the heat output of the stoves.

• Maintenance services. The ideal is to hire them to avoid surprises and have all the devices checked preventively and without emergencies.
• Do not leave the heating on when the house is empty, even for a short time. If you have the stove on until shortly before leaving and leave the doors and windows tightly closed, some of the heat will remain until you return. Neither do the stoves on or the oven to heat up, since in addition to wasting gas it can be dangerous.

As detailed previously, there are several potential ways to reduce gas consumption in a home, although the savings result is different for each one. However, the most efficient and the one that achieves the greatest savings is with the thermal insulation.

“Efficient thermal insulation materials save up to 70% on gas and electricity bills, which are consumed for air conditioning. Furthermore, they have a useful life that accompanies the life of a home,” he explained. Javier Maltzpresident of the National Association of Insulating Materials Industries (ANDIMA).

Thermal insulation can be implemented both in new works like in already built houses. In the latter case, you only need to do small modifications that in a short time will become a great benefit for savings of basic services.

“The first step is to consult a professional to analyze how much energy is being consumed in the environment or the house and thus know how much should be reduced and how to do it,” explained Maltz.

Meanwhile, he explained that “to efficiently insulate a home, materials such as glass wool, expanded polystyrene or polyurethane, on floor, walls and ceiling”.

Although requires an expensethermal insulation is one of the best investments that can be done at home. In this way, the temperature in the home will be better preserved, so you will not have to use the heating for so many hours in winter, nor the air conditioning when summer returns.

Finally, in addition to efficient thermal insulation, you can also save energy by using solar heaters and pilotless applianceswhich allow reduce total consumption up to 18%.