As the winter season approaches, citizens begin to worry about their natural gas bills. While the cubic meter price of natural gas currently varies between approximately 8.9 TL including VAT, it is possible to ‘save on heating’, which is the biggest expense item in winter, with simple measures. To have a comfortable winter; It is necessary to have the boiler maintained, to use the boiler correctly and to take some precautions in living spaces. On the other hand, unmaintained combi boilers pose both a security risk and can cause high bills. Istanbul Chamber of Natural Gas Plumbing, Heating Technicians, Tradesmen and Craftsmen Yaşar Biter; While stating that boiler maintenance should be done regularly every year, he said, “It is especially important to clean the radiator regularly. There should also be thermostatic valves on the radiator.”
LOCATION OF ITEMS IS IMPORTANT
Biter also pointed out that building combi boilers should be condensing and noted that condensing combi boilers provide savings of up to 30 percent. Bitter also provided the following information: “For example, keeping the living room at 20 degrees, another room at 18 degrees, and a room we use regularly at 22 degrees is a correct warming method. It is not possible to save money by turning off the radiator in one room and heating the other room. For this reason, natural gas consumption can be saved by operating the combi boiler at low temperature instead of turning it off. Positioning of items also affects energy consumption. The beds, tables and chairs in the rooms should be away from the outer wall. Curtains, blinds and windbreaks should be closed at night. “Sunlight should come through the windows during the day.”
DO NOT TURN OFF THE DEVICE
Engineer Özgür Şahin in homes and workplaces; While giving information about the precautions to be taken before entering the winter to provide safe, comfortable and economical heating, he pointed out that the boiler should never be turned off.
Şahin listed his warnings and suggestions as follows: “When turned on again, the device operates at full capacity to reach the desired temperature and burns as much gas as you have not burned throughout the day. For this reason, the devices must be operated in low mode in winter. Using a room thermostat also prevents energy consumption. C.The vents in the tanks ensure that any leakage that may occur is vented to the outside through the air. For this reason, glass grilles should not be closed for the safety of life and property.”
TAKE PRECAUTIONS FROM FREEZING
Adding that “In cold weather, especially if the air temperature drops to minus levels, the combi boiler and heating system may freeze, Şahin said, “It is necessary to take some precautions to prevent this situation. It is very important to protect combi boilers on open balconies with cabinets. It is also very important that the combi boiler pipes are wrapped and insulated with insulation material in an airtight manner. A combi boiler that is not used and turned off for a long time in winter may freeze. Because turning off the boiler causes the water inside to freeze due to cold. For this reason, the installation water of the combi boiler, which will remain closed for a long time, also needs to be drained,” he said.
Noting that if all these precautions are not taken, the combi boiler and heating installation may freeze, Şahin said, “Explosions occur in the blocks and installation inside the combi boiler and the system begins to leak water. This creates serious damage to living spaces and causes the combi boiler to break down. Additionally, radiators should not be blocked.” ” he said.
SAVING METHODS
İBB İGDAŞ Mechanical Engineer Zeynep Eda Bayram also shared what needs to be done for the economical use of natural gas as follows:
“With the arrival of winter, approximately 60 percent savings can be achieved by building thermal insulation and additional methods to be taken at home in order to save energy in the use of natural gas. A large part of the heat loss in buildings is caused by the lack of thermal insulation. Thermal insulated buildings provide 40 percent savings.
15 percent savings can be achieved by making PVC joinery and double glazing of windows and doors. With additional precautions to be taken at home, it is possible to save nearly 20 percent. Approximately 7 percent can be saved for every 1 degree by using thermostatic valve and room thermostat. 5 percent savings can be achieved by covering non-PVC window and door edges with sponge or wick. Savings can be achieved by placing thermal insulation panels behind the radiators. Radiators should not be covered by using long curtains in homes. The front of the radiators should not be blocked by items such as armchairs and sofas. “Radiators should not be covered for decorative purposes, and items such as flowerpots, laundry should not be placed on them.”
LEAVE VENTILES OPEN
“The ventilation grilles, which provide the necessary fresh air inlet for the efficient operation of the devices, should not be closed, so that ideal combustion is achieved in the devices and fuel savings are achieved,” said Bayram. “In addition, the vents should remain open to ensure that possible gas leaks are discharged to the outside. Natural gas burning devices such as combi boilers, water heaters and stoves must be maintained by authorized services at least once a year. “Having the chimneys maintained and cleaned by companies authorized by the fire brigade at least once a year will increase the combustion efficiency of the device used and save money,” he concluded his statements.
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