Insulate heating pipes in unheated spaces and turn the circulation pump down
Insulated pipes in the attic, garage or crawl space lose less heat, and setting an old circulation pump to its lowest speed can save up to 120 kWh a season.
Do it yourself
Sources checked on .
Heating pipes that run through unheated spaces, such as a crawl space, attic or garage, give off heat before the water reaches your radiators. Pipe insulation from a DIY shop is cheap and quick to fit.
The circulation pump that moves water through the radiators can use a lot of electricity. An old pump that runs at one speed all season can use up to about 450 kWh a year. If yours has speed settings, try the lowest one: if every radiator still gets warm, you save up to 120 kWh a season.
When the pump needs replacing, choose a high-efficiency pump that adjusts itself and switches off when there is no demand for heat.
Details
| Impact | Small · Running an old circulation pump on its lowest setting saves up to 120 kWh of electricity per heating season. How we rate impact |
|---|---|
| CO₂ saved | Up to about 45 kg of CO₂ a year, roughly the yearly uptake of 4 forest trees. How we count CO₂ |
| Estimated saving | ≈ 120 kWh a year · Up to 120 kWh of electricity per heating season by running an older circulation pump on its lowest setting, if all radiators still get warm. (confidence: medium) |
| Who acts | You (owner) |
| Needs landlord's agreement | No |
| Type | Action |
| Constant or subject to change | Constant · Good practice that barely changes with new laws, prices or services. |
Do this together with
Sources
- Afgifte-elementen, verwarmingsleidingen en circulatiepomp (in Dutch) · Vlaamse overheid (vlaanderen.be) (official source) · checked on
- Verwarmingstips (in Dutch) · Vlaamse overheid (vlaanderen.be) (official source) · checked on