As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, ensuring your home is winter-ready becomes a top priority. However, staying warm doesn’t have to mean skyrocketing energy bills or inefficient heating practices. Many common habits, like drying clothes on radiators or leaving the heating on a constant low setting, can actually hinder your system’s performance and increase costs. This guide outlines the essential do’s and don’ts of winter heating, from optimizing your Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) to mastering home ventilation, helping you maintain a cozy environment while reaching your energy-saving goals.
What are the main don’ts of winter heating?
Avoiding these common mistakes can significantly improve heat distribution and air quality in your home.
Don’t obstruct your radiators
Placing large furniture, such as sofas or desks, directly in front of a radiator traps the heat behind the object rather than letting it circulate. Similarly, long curtains draped over the front of a radiator will funnel warm air toward the window rather than the room. For your designer radiators to work effectively, they need clear space for air to flow around them.
Don’t dry laundry on radiators
Draping wet clothes over a radiator creates two problems: it blocks the heat from warming the room and releases excessive moisture into the air. This surge in humidity can lead to dampness and mould growth. If you must dry clothes indoors, use a clothes maiden placed in a well-ventilated room or near a heated towel rail with an extractor fan running.
What are the essential do’s for an efficient system?
Taking a proactive approach to how you manage each room will lead to a more comfortable and affordable winter.
Do use TRVs correctly
Many people mistakenly believe that turning a TRV to the maximum setting (5) will heat a room faster. In reality, TRVs only control the temperature the room reaches, not the speed at which it heats up.
- Living Rooms: Aim for setting 3.5 (22–24∘C).
- Bedrooms: Setting 2 to 3 (16–18∘C) is ideal for sleep.
- Unused Rooms: Set to the asterisk (*) to provide frost protection without wasting energy.
Do prioritize ventilation and insulation
Winter air can become stagnant and humid. Instead of leaving windows cracked open all day—which wastes heat—open them wide for a few minutes each morning to purge the damp air. Additionally, check the seals on your doors and windows. Using simple foam or rubber sealants to stop draughts can prevent the heat your Bathroom Mountain radiators produce from escaping.
Winter Heating Quick Reference
| Feature | The Do | The Don’t |
| Furniture | Keep a gap of at least 30cm. | Push sofas flush against radiators. |
| TRV Settings | Use Zoning for different rooms. | Turn everything to 5 by default. |
| Windows | Open wide for 5 mins to ventilate. | Leave on vent latch all day. |
| Clothing | Layer up before turning up the heat. | Dry wet jeans directly on the radiator. |
Conclusion
Mastering the do’s and don’ts of winter heating is the most effective way to balance home comfort with financial and environmental responsibility. By ensuring your radiators are unobstructed, using TRVs to create specific heating zones, and maintaining proper ventilation, you can avoid the common pitfalls that lead to energy waste and dampness. Small changes, such as sealing draughts and layering clothing before increasing the thermostat, contribute significantly to long-term efficiency. Following these best practices ensures that your Bathroom Mountain heating system remains a reliable and cost-effective source of warmth throughout the coldest months of the year.
