How to beat winter chills: Adjusting windows to save on heating

Windows are one of the leading causes of heat loss in our flats. Changing them to winter mode is an easy way to maintain a higher temperature at home and reduce heating costs. Simply adjust the screw in the window accordingly. Here, we explain how to do this.

Heating in buildings should be turned on when the temperature drops below 20 degrees Celsius in rooms such as the living room, bedroom, hallway, kitchen, and office or below 24 degrees Celsius in bathrooms and toilets.

There is no specific date for turning on the heating. Housing cooperatives most often decide on this.

To properly prepare for the winter season, it's worth using a simple trick. Switching windows from summer mode to winter mode allows better adjustment of their tightness to weather conditions.

If you place your hand near the window and feel cold air, it's a sign that the windows are in summer mode. In winter mode, the seal is pressed more tightly against the window frame, minimising airflow and protecting against cooling.

Such a change can reduce heating bills, but it can also increase the risk of allergies and worsen ventilation in the room.

Modern PVC windows have a function that allows them to switch between summer and winter modes. To check which mode the window is in, simply find the screw on the sash and assess its position relative to the seal. If the screw is set with the thicker side toward the seal, it indicates winter mode, while the thinner side symbolises summer mode.

To switch the window from summer to winter mode, turn the bolt 90°. The bolts can have different shapes, so a tool, such as an Allen key, is often needed. However, this can usually be done using pliers or fingers.

In older windows, switching from summer to winter mode may be necessary in three places: at the top, middle, and bottom of the frame.

Another way to save heat in winter is to expose the radiators. Furniture and curtains often cover the radiators, obstructing the flow of heat, which forces stronger heating of the flat, generating additional costs.