QUESTION: Heating: how to reduce heat loss without major renovations?

Reducing heat loss in an apartment without large-scale and expensive major renovations is a completely feasible task if you approach it systematically. When it comes to heating, it is always worth starting with a simple strategic plan that includes a clear goal, a dedicated budget, a timeline for the work, and a preliminary list of necessary materials. After that, you can begin implementing your plan in small iterations, making sure to check the result at each individual step.

First of all, you need to conduct an audit and eliminate all obvious drafts and gaps in window frames and doorways. Self-adhesive rubber or silicone seals, as well as foam tape, are great for this. If it drafts from under the front door, install a special door draft stopper or seal brush that will block the cold air from the staircase landing.

The second effective step is to install heat-reflecting screens made of foil-backed penofol behind the heating radiators. A regular radiator heats not only the room, but also the cold wall of the house behind it. Shiny foil reflects infrared radiation back into the living space, increasing the overall temperature in the room by one to two degrees without additional energy costs.

The third element of energy saving is clearing the space around the heating radiators. Remove heavy, dense curtains that completely cover the windowsill and prevent the free circulation of warm air around the apartment. If there is massive furniture in front of the radiator, it is better to rearrange it so that heat can flow unhindered into the living area.