Many heating systems are not hydraulically balanced as is necessary for efficient operation. Only hydraulic balancing ensures a water mass flow that is appropriate to the needs of a radiator in order to cover the heating load of the room. It is therefore recommended that when replacing a heat generator, the installer always checks the hydraulics of the heating distribution system and adjusts them if necessary. Find out more

Complete insulation of heating and hot water distribution pipes is one of the most economical energy-saving measures. In unheated rooms, it is recommended to use insulation that is twice as thick as the requirements of the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV), as this allows noticeable energy savings with minimal additional effort.

In many buildings, the setting options that most control devices already offer are not used sufficiently. If this were to happen on a comprehensive basis, a large part of the efficiency potential of control and regulation would already be tapped. In addition to the thermostat valves in each room, a central control system must be used that changes the flow temperature depending on the outside temperature and the time.

When choosing a radiator, it is important to consider the difference in heat distribution. There are two basic types: convection heat and radiant heat. With convection heat, the room air is heated. The advantage: the room warms up without much lead time. The disadvantage: the room air and with it the dust start to move, which is something that people who are allergic to house dust notice quickly. Radiant heat is comparable to the sun's rays: instead of the air, walls and furniture are warmed up, and the heat is distributed more evenly. The disadvantage: it takes significantly longer for the room to warm up. If heating surfaces are renewed or replaced, it is generally recommended that the heating surfaces be designed for a maximum of 45/35 °C (flow/return) on the coldest day (design according to VDI 6030). This naturally requires larger heating surfaces than at higher system temperatures. The better the thermal insulation of the building, the smaller the heating surfaces can be at the same design temperature.

Surface heating can either be installed in the wall or as a classic underfloor heating system. It combines the advantages of radiant heat with a short warm-up time - this saves energy and at the same time ensures a pleasant room climate with even heat and no dust being kicked up. Since no radiators are needed in the room, surface heating also provides more options for interior design. Only with wall heating should the wall behind which the heating is located be free of furniture. Depending on the design, the heating is either installed in the damp screed or in foam panels.

Even a correctly planned and installed heating system must be checked and maintained regularly. Undetected malfunctions in a system or, for example, contamination of heat exchanger surfaces can lead to significant increases in energy consumption. The system (gas, oil heating, pellet heating, solar system) should be thoroughly checked to ensure safe and continued economical operation. Components that have a significant influence on the efficiency of such systems must be regularly serviced and maintained by the operator.

The better the structural thermal insulation of a building, the greater the proportion of the building's total heat requirement that is accounted for by domestic hot water preparation. Central hot water systems are linked to the heating system. The operator is therefore always tied to the energy sources that he also uses for his heating. However, there are different systems here: Boilers: Most central heating systems consist of a boiler in which the water is heated. In addition to fossil fuels such as oil or gas and electricity, these boilers can also be operated with climate-friendly renewable energies such as wood pellets. Drinking water circulation pipes, which are intended to ensure that warm drinking water is constantly available at every tap, lead to high heat losses. Permanently warm drinking water pipes in the temperature range between 20 and 55°C also pose a hygiene risk. If drinking water circulation is used, the insulation must be carried out with particular care and to a high quality, as these pipes are operated at high temperatures all year round.