External and internal climate: climate changes are a constant in people's lives and their economic and environmental impact is growing exponentially. At home, however, with a few precautions you can avoid surprises. Combining comfort and savings is not easy, but you can try. In these days, and by December 1st depending on the climate zone, the radiators are turned on. They will work for many months, despite the fact that heating in Italy is responsible for over 60% of fine dust. In Italian cities the average age of the systems is very old and this is an element to take into consideration.
To contain economic and environmental imbalances, Enea warns families about the correct use of heating systems. It does so with a dozen tips that start with the use of water, which is necessary to produce heat. "With variations in outside temperature of even ten degrees on a daily basis, it is necessary to avoid sending water at the same temperature to the radiators all the time" he replies Nicolandrea Calabrese, Enea Energy Efficiency Laboratory Manager. “The ideal solution is to combine a climate control with the boiler or heat pump for heating”. Using a temperature controller, spending out of your own pocket, means maintaining the desired room temperature while limiting consumption. In practice, the lower the outside temperature, the higher the flow temperature to the radiators or radiant floor. Is this how you fight waste? Yes. Because for every additional degree required, 2,5% more energy is spent.
The effects on the environment
I advice of Enea are public and in addition to water they concern the use of smart meters, consumption habits, maintenance of the systems, opening and closing of windows. Maintenance of the system is covered by a law that also provides for fines of 500 euros. But you also have to pay attention to the hours in which the radiators are turned on. In fact, once you have ascertained which of the 6 climate zones you find your home, everyone can check the maximum number of hours of ignition. 19°C inside the house is enough to guarantee the necessary comfort – this is the advice of Enea – since for each degree less you save up to 10% on fuel consumption. These are domestic operations within everyone's reach. What considerations should be made?
The issue of radiators is part of a general problem that afflicts most Italian cities. Emissions are harmful and in the past there have been mayors who have tried to control the hours of operation of heating systems, especially in apartment buildings. Enea's intervention refers to the care and sensitivity of individual citizens or administrators and certainly has its value. The fact is that with radiators turned on for long months, Italian homes will definitely not go green. Savings will be made, the public body has taken charge of giving valid instructions, but the issue of how to neutralize the effects of an old building heritage on the environment remains like a weight hanging over the head of politics. It is enough to remind the government that the 70% of homes It has the worst energy performance in Europe. Something will have to be done.
